Building Flood Resilience in Indian Cities

To mitigate flooding in Indian cities, various measures can be adopted:

1. Urban Planning: Implement regulations like those in Surat after the 2006 floods, which improved zoning and land use to avoid construction in low-lying areas.

2. Drainage Systems: Upgrade drainage infrastructure similar to the Storm Water Drainage Project undertaken in Mumbai.

3. Water Bodies Restoration: Revive lakes and rivers as done with the restoration of Lake Pashan in Pune, enhancing the city’s water absorption capacity.

4. Green Infrastructure: Expand urban green belts and create spaces like the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to aid in flood management.

5. Flood Barriers: Construct embankments and flood barriers where needed, drawing on the experience of the embankment along the Ganges in Patna.

6. Early Warning Systems: Develop and install early warning systems like the Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS) in Chennai.

7. Community Participation: Engage local communities in flood preparedness initiatives as seen in Kerala post-2018 floods.

8. Emergency Protocols: Establish rapid response teams and evacuation plans akin to Odisha’s approach during cyclone Fani.

9. Building Codes: Enforce strict building codes that require flood-resistant construction practices, similar to those adopted in flood-prone areas of Assam.

10. Policy Integration: Integrate water management and urban planning policies as seen in the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for water conservation and flood control.

Implementing these strategies, inspired by successful Indian examples, can significantly enhance flood resilience in urban areas.