EXPERT SPEAK: How to avoid flooding in future

By Jagdish H Godihal

Unprecedented heavy rain always causes flood-like situations in many parts of Bengaluru. Initially, it was a recurrent issue in the old parts of the city due to inadequate drainage systems, households being built on waterways and improper layout planning. Now, the floods are also creating havoc in the peripherals, resulting in overflowing drainages.

Old cities cannot be remodelled. So we need to monitor drainage systems, optimally utilise resources that will reduce damages during extreme climate events. Recharging of groundwater (rain water harvesting), arresting water at its source, using lawns in households can arrest excess water from flowing out. We cannot stop the rain but we can certainly divert it into ponds and lakes or even storage tanks. However, due to rapid urbanisation, the natural canals have been blocked by layouts, residential apartments and academic institutions. Bengaluru is becoming increasingly flood-prone due to encroachment of storm water drains, poor water and sewerage management and poor implementation of policies.

(Jagdish H Godihal is a professor of civil engineering and deputy dean (academic research) at Presidency University, Bengaluru. As told to Rithu Dravid)