Addl Inputs: Designing Cities for Floods
Swachh Bharat Mission
Designing Cities for Floods
1. Ground water storm drains must be redesigned and made precisely operative
2. Cue should be taken from countries like Netherland which is located almost at the sea level
3. If the end of the rivers and canals flowing through the city are connecting with the sea, the entrance has to be dredged properly to ease the flow in to sea
4. Construction in any new locality should be allowed only after the area is cleared for safe draining of rain water is ensured
5. Corporation should make sure that garbage and debris are not dumped near the inlet of the water bodies
6. All rivers should be desilted regularly in order to increase the capacity of water accommodation
7. Emergency evacuation plan should be designed for the low lying areas
8. Connecting the rivers and nallahs must be done so it takes the excess water immediately to other areas, where water level is less
9. Prepare cities for emergency water transport
10. Build self-contained multi storied housing colonies with sufficient community facilities
11. Teach civil defence, life-saving, first aid, NCC/NSS in every school
12. Make high-grounds and community shelters for every 1000 population
13. Roads need to be designed for minimal water clogging
14. Have a good emergency response system in place so people and agencies are able to communicate
15. Move electricity and phone cables underground so it is not affected by floods and cause shocks or disrupt connectivity
16. Educate people on Emergency management process - ensure people stock up on essentials when heavy rain or other disasters are predicted
17. Schools, marriage halls, stadiums, community halls etc. should double as emergency relief and sleeping areas for people that are displaced. more