Storm Water Disposal Challenges and Solutions

- Lokabhimukha Guidance - H.S. Patel IAS (Retd.)

- Planning for “Harvesting” of extraordinary rain water continues from the required level...

With the background described in the previous article, we are all witness to the situation that has arisen due to the extraordinary rainfall conditions in other parts of the country, especially in Gujarat, Himachal, Delhi, etc. Climate Change Instead of nature's role in climate change, mankind has damaged all types of layers (Layers) land, air, water, ozone layer beyond limits in the name of development process. The victims of which we are facing in one form or another. We have reached the heights of discovery, research, the proliferation of technology, now including Artificial Intelligence (AI). But we have failed to save nature. We can see the results.

The time has come to think in the form of planning instead of adopting the approach of taking the approach of abnormal rains as momentary as the water will flow according to time. Now talking about the regulation of water, rainwater disposal/conveyance is natural course in which ravines, creeks, bends, rivers, formation based on water carrying capacity (Intensity) and water is stored in lakes, lakes, seas, progressive during the monarchy. In states like Gaekwad, Jamnagar, Gondal, Bhavnagar in states like Gaekwad, Jamnagar, Gondal, Bhavnagar, lakes have been constructed for water and irrigation purposes, even before independence, the famous engineer of Mysore state, Visvesraya, suggested the construction of multi-purpose projects on the rivers of the entire country, including flood control. (Flood Control) included irrigation, electricity, drinking water etc. From the perspective of our Gujarat, the construction of Ukai, Kadana, Panama, Sardar Sarovar all these dams are also multi-purpose along with flood control. For the last 25 years, we have seen that in Gujarat, which used to experience drought every two years, due to climate change, Cyclonic / Low Pressure / Cloud Bursting rains occur, which does not lead to drought conditions. But the abnormal rainfall pattern that has brought 20 inches of rain at once and there is no way to control this situation. But planning is necessary on how to deal with this situation.

If we look at it from the perspective of Gujarat, Saurashtra used to record 20 to 25 inches of rain on an average, but now it has rained so much at once, that is, if we look at the average, it is raining up to 50 inches. This is the situation of Kutch district. All the dams of Saurashtra, Bhadar, Meshvo, Shetrunji, Kalabhar, Aaji, Nyari etc., all these dams were built based on the rainfall statistics of that time and the catchment (discharge area), like this in South, Central, North Gujarat also on the basis of average rainfall. , Ukai, Kadana, Sardar Sarovar, Dharoi, Banas etc., the capacity of all these can be increased based on the current rainfall figures and for that it is necessary to collect water as part of Water Harvesting after determining the latest Hydrological Survey / Monsoon Pattern.

Now analyzing the question of natural/rain water drainage most and especially the natural streams/creeks/river banks passing through urban/industrial areas have been forced/unauthorized and to prevent and remove the same the Mamlatdar Court Act as mentioned in the previous article. / G.P.M.C. It is necessary to remove all obstacles in the form of a campaign as per the powers given to the Revenue / Municipal Officers in the Act / Municipalities Act. A number of judgments have been given by the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court for the maintenance of water bodies. The renown Supreme Court in Ambala case of Punjab directed each state to remove pressure on public space / water body and not to allocate it for any purpose. And it is high time that any natural flow or water body pressured or not kept open should be held accountable by the concerned authorities, along with political will power. From an organizational and planning point of view, it is a fact that Storm Water Disposal was not included in the essential services of any Government or Local Municipal Corporation/Municipality. Therefore, in any city or any part of the state, there is no complete plan for the disposal of the rains that fall in an extraordinary manner in the present time. At present, efforts are being made only on a periodic water discharge basis, and naturally, adequate financial resources are not available to prioritize this work. Secondly, rainwater drainage is more difficult especially in cities and there are many reasons behind it. So, by geographically dividing the entire state, including the cities, on the basis of the prevailing rainfall pattern, the Irrigation Department needs to take the lead and take a long-term plan by getting the proportional statistics from the Indian Meteorological Institute for the last 25 years. Especially in Coastal areas, along with Cyclonic Rain, depending on the Pressure / Disturbance of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, etc., planning will be done based on the pattern of the abnormal rain, if the abnormal rain-based condition is created in the current time, it can be mitigated, and the remaining natural condition can be faced. The challenge to do is a test for mankind. The question of stormwater drainage is more challenging for cities. We will detail its planning and solution in the next article. Gradually