Morphometric Analysis of Umtung River Basin using GIS and Remote Sensing

An investigation of morphometric parameter for the Umtung River basin, situated in Meghalaya, India, employing advanced GIS and remotely sensed data. Various morphometric parameters were quantified, including basin area (224.91 km²), length (24.32 km), perimeter (147.04 km), and drainage density (1.34 km/km²). With 255 streams overall, the research showed a clearly defined stream order system up to the fifth order. Key findings indicate that the basin exhibits low stream frequency (1.13 stream/km²) and a bifurcation ratio (Rb) averaging 4.03, suggesting a complex, interconnected hydrological system with significant tributary contributions. The sinuosity index (SI) of 1.32 indicates a moderately sinuous channel morphology. An extended basin shape that is advantageous for flood management is suggested by a low form factor (0.38) and elongation ratio (0.39). With a ruggedness number (Rn) of 1.18, a relief ratio (Rr) of 35.85, and a basin relief of 872 m, relief metrics show notable topographical diversity driven by tectonic activity and differential erosion. Hypsometric analysis indicates a mature landscape characterized by concave slopes, underscoring the erosion-dominated landforms formed over geological time.