How did the people of the Indus civilization deal with the flooding of the river?
The people of the Indus civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, developed sophisticated methods to deal with the annual flooding of the Indus River. Here are a few ways they managed the floods:
1. City Planning: The Indus cities were planned with meticulous attention to their relationship with the river. The cities were built on raised platforms to protect them from floodwaters. The streets and houses were laid out in a grid pattern, with well-planned drainage systems, which helped to divert water away from the residential areas.
2. Flood Walls and Embankments: The Harappans constructed flood walls and embankments along the river banks to prevent the river from overflowing and inundating the cities. These walls acted as a barrier to control the water levels during the monsoon season.
3. Canals and Reservoirs: The Indus civilization had an extensive irrigation network, including a well-developed system of canals and reservoirs. They built canals to divert excess water from the river into agricultural fields during floods and to retain water for use during dry seasons.
4. Water Storage Tanks: The Harappans built large underground water storage tanks, called "Great Baths," in their cities. These tanks would collect rainwater during the monsoons and provide a constant water supply throughout the year.
5. Migration and Temporary Settlements: In times of severe flooding, the Harappans would temporarily move to higher grounds or nearby elevated areas until the floodwaters receded. They had an adaptable lifestyle, allowing them to adjust to the changing river dynamics.
It is important to note that the precise methods used by the Indus civilization to manage flooding are still a subject of ongoing research and study, as much of their knowledge and infrastructure has been lost over time.