The Union Government is implementing the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) to provide central assistance to States for flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion works. The scheme supplements State efforts by offering technical guidance and promotional financial support for management of floods in critical areas. Works under the programme include construction of embankments, sluices, retaining and gabion walls and drainage channels.

State and union territory proposals received, projects approved and central assistance released under FMBAP during the last five years are set out in an annexure to the ministry reply. A total of 50 proposals were received and 24 projects were approved with an aggregate approved cost of Rs 28,133.9 mn. Central assistance released for projects included during 2021–26 amounted to Rs 4,836 mn while total assistance released up to March, 2025 was Rs 10,902.1 mn.

An assessment by the Central Water Commission (CWC) based on satellite imagery from 1986 to 2022 assessed the total flood affected area in India at 21.213 mn hectares and the area protected through flood management measures at 20.538 mn hectares. State wise and district wise details are maintained by the CWC and made available on its website.

Maintenance of flood protection works of the Kosi and Gandak projects in the Nepal portion and flood protection and anti-erosion works in border areas with Bangladesh and Nepal in the India portion are financed under the river management activities and works related to border areas component of FMBAP. The ministry said these measures support cross border river management.

The information was provided by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. The ministry indicated that assistance is allocated according to project priorities and technical assessments. Officials added that continued investment remains central to reducing risk and protecting lives and livelihoods.