aRTICLE | Encroaching Urban Drains
Urban Floods: Growing Menace in Cities Humans have begun witnessing the effects of climate change in the form of rising annual mean temperature, rising sea level, sporadic monsoon, and increased frequency of cyclones. Cities in India have also begun to feel the effects of climate change in various forms and one of them is urban flood. According to the data of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the incidences of urban floods is on the rise in India. Floods in Hyderabad happened to be the first recorded event of urban floods in the country. Later, Ahmedabad (2001), Delhi (2002, 2003, 2009 & 2010), Chennai (2004), Mumbai (2005), Surat (2006), Kolkata (2007) Jamshedpur (2008) and Guwahati (2010) have also had the misfortune of encountering urban floods Pushpender Singh | Editorial Assistant
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rban floods have emerged as a major issue in cities, especially in India, and encroachment of drainage infrastructure in cities has been one of an important catalytic factors. In order to combat and minimise the effects of urban floods on Indian cities, various departments and organisations such as the National Green Tribunal (NGT), NDMA, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), have prepared their own set of guidelines. However, the primary focus will be on guidelines of MoHUA and how Indian cities are adhering to these guidelines.
What are the prescribed guidelines?
MoHUA has prescribed a set of guidelines, to prevent Indian cities from coming to a standstill and preventing the loss of life and damage to property. These guidelines are called the Manual for the stormwater drainage system, prepared by the Central Public Health
42 June 2022 | www.urbanupdate.in
and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) in 2019. These guidelines highlight that all the storm drains should be inspected frequently to identify any blockage or damages to the drains in India. It recommends thorough examination of scouring of bed and sides, blockage of the drains due to garbage dumping, damage to the structures, and keen inspection of junction sump and gutters. Additionally, walking inspections should also be done regularly, especially before the onset of monsoon, and the interval between such inspections must not exceed one month. It also made a recommendation regarding the maintenance of the storm drains. All the drains must be desilted, all the damages should be repaired, and the garbage such as polyethene which could block the flow of water must be removed before the onset of monsoon. In addition, condition of road cambers needs to be inspected after every heavy shower to inspect any potential damage and essential corrective measures should be taken immediately following the rain. To prevent any accidents, all the missing and corroded slabs and caps of the gutters should be replaced if necessary. One of the most essential aspects of these guidelines is creating awareness among citizens, in order to dissuade them from dumping garbage and other materials that could block the passage of water and encroaching or building any pavements over these drains. States however could take any additional steps along with these recommendations.
How our cities have been faring?
As far as the National Capital Territory of Delhi is concerned, the NGT itself has established an Integrated Drain Management Cell (IDMC), to look after the remediation and management of networks of drains in Delhi. Apart from that, Public Works Department (PWD) manages nearly 2064 km, while rest of the drains in the capital are managed by the Municipal Corporation and Delhi Jal Board. The drains that are maintained by the
