Every monsoon in India results in yet another man-made disaster that could have been averted. Could it have been avoided through planning?
I have always been a votary of proper planning and implementation — something that successive governments in India – whether central or state – have never focussed on.
This flood-a-year phenomenon has been very punctual: 2018- Kerala and Karnataka; 2017- Gujarat; 2016- Assam; 2015- Chennai; 2014- Kashmir; 2013- Uttaranchal and so on.
Floods hitherto used to affect only the rural areas and those urban centres which were closer to a river. While these are still prone to floods, the newer trend in this century has been the inundation of cities not even close to flood-prone rivers. Mumbai, Chennai, and Gurugram (whenever it rains- high or low) are stark examples of cities affected by floods due to cloud-bursts or excessive rains.
The issues concerning these cities are many:
- Historically a maze of drains used to exist (as in case of Gurugram and Mumbai, also Chennai, but with a slightly lower relative extent). These drains don’t exist now. Having been replaced by concrete, there are very high run-off coefficients (no permeability), thus causing flash floods
- Low penalties and absence of enforcement (if older encroachments cannot be removed, at least the newer or recent ones can be razed)
- Where are the water bodies (not swimming pools!) and large green areas in these cities like Gurugram?
- Encroachments on drains – one of the key contributors to Chennai floods, I presume, happened largely due to human settlements on drains. By the way, human settlements and encroachments on the Badshahpur drain (the largest drain flowing into Delhi) in Gurugram, led to cars floating and traffic stranded all night long in 2017. Oh! I forgot to tell you, Gurugram is supposed to be the Singapore of India! It is my abode and believe me; it actually floats during monsoons
- Non-existence (Gurugram) or inadequate drainage system (Chennai and Mumbai). Mumbai’s drainage system can deal with about 25 mm of rain per hour. A recent project aims to double this capacity to 50 mm per hour. Compare this with the fact that every year, the city records several days of heavy rainfall exceeding 65 mm per hour. It is elementary that planning and design should develop a 100mm per hour storm water drainage system. This will also help cities to combat situations like the 2003 flood which happened after a 944mm cloudburst
This is the story of so many cities (not just in India, but worldwide)
But wait! Why only cities?
The trend in the previous century showed floods (many due to the rivers Brahmaputra and Kosi) in states like Assam and Bihar. The river Kosi has been temporarily protected but can change its course and create havoc again. By the way, China’s ‘river of sorrow’ the Huang Ho (Yellow River), has been adequately managed. Apparently, the havoc caused by Kosi and Brahmaputra was ascribed primarily to the rampant deforestation carried out in the region. This reason is the key contributor to the recent floods in Kerala in 2018.
Kerala flood is a mix of all the parameters mentioned above – plus the quarrying, mining, illegal repurposing of forests, and high-rise building constructions. However, there is a curious element which is believed to have also been a key suspect. The jury is still out on the delayed opening of the gates of the Mullaperiyar, Idukki and Idamalayar dam gates. The authorities waited till the water reached the maximum level before they opened the gates.
Dams in Kerala were supposed to be rehabilitated under a World Bank funded Programme since 2011. There have been obvious delays in implementation. But another reason for the delayed opening of the gates could also be a ploy to keep the water within the state to help irrigation requirements of the State’s farmers. While this reason is not been raised right now, it could be an ostensible reason for the flash floods. It has happened many years back in the man-made floods in Punjab back in 1993.
To stop these man-made and natural floods, it is crucial to plan in advance, plan for a bigger network (the cost is prohibitive but is smaller than the annual damage done by these havoc-wrecking floods). Also, strict implementation of urban guidelines and a no-nonsense policy as far as encroachments are concerned.
After all our ancient texts also point towards better planning and ecological balance:
- The Panchvati concept propagated by ancient sages in India urged all inhabitants to grow five trees around their homes. These trees while providing fruits, also helped in the ecological balance for insects, birds, animals, rains, etc.
- Manusmriti laid down heavy penalties for cutting trees
- Kautilya extolled the virtue of planned cities and heavy penalties for transgression in this regard
The river valley civilizations that developed amazing townships along Indian rivers also perished, as per many experts, due to sustainability issues!