As
Bengaluru is battered and flooded again a pattern you can see all around, with
increased intensity of rain (that ofcourse is not Chinese hoax), water gets
clogged and makes it extremely dangerous for commuters, as lackadaisical municipalities
don’t check the slabs and people get drowned. In Delhi a neighbour kid drowned in
the open drainage right next to our building, they searched her whole night. This
blogger too was almost sucked in about two years back because of missing slabs
in the footpath, was at shoulder level in gushing water, thankfully reflexes saved
the day but the knee was severely impacted, and still get the pain, also the recurring
nightmare. Interestingly this was located outside a five star hotel, and a year
later as I was walking past, and the slab still missing, I found the manager outside
and I told him about the incident and the need to cover these dangerous pits. He
said he will inform the concerned people. Well after two years, the work is
partially done. So cannot blame and not blame! It comes in the same frame as “infinite
truth” BS and Guhaji's "Schrodinger’s Gandhi".
The
concrete structures prevents water seepage into ground as also encroachment of
catchment areas and lakebeds in the name of development (which ofcourse is
connected to GDP) has created a unique situation of excessive rains, and water shortages
during summer. There is geological and environmental costs to big projects like
river linking, the existing water bodies and catchment areas must be protected
and nurtured. Traditional knowledge in this matter, for instance from water deficit
states like Rajasthan, Tarun Bhagat Sangh
(I happen to visit few years back in Alwar) have consolidated these experiences
with remarkable success, even rejuvenating dead river. Unlike the lack of concern by market media, and
the consumerism promoting entitled section with huge carbon footprint, the government
of India has put in place special initiatives and has taken the threats regarding climate
change quite seriously. This is in sharp contrast to many rich and industrialized societies
Latest civil engineering solutions can also be searched. Netherlands have been in the forefront on these matters as majority of region is in below sea level as also there is sea level rising, further excessive downpour had worsened the matter, but they have solved these by creating green roofs and flood controlling water plazas, building sustainable urban water systems. In a proactive approach to achieving sustainability, the Rotterdam Climate Proof (RCP) programme aims to achieve fully climate proof status for the city by 2025. This is the kind of proactive measures that extremely climate vulnerable societies like India needs to look into.
Latest civil engineering solutions can also be searched. Netherlands have been in the forefront on these matters as majority of region is in below sea level as also there is sea level rising, further excessive downpour had worsened the matter, but they have solved these by creating green roofs and flood controlling water plazas, building sustainable urban water systems. In a proactive approach to achieving sustainability, the Rotterdam Climate Proof (RCP) programme aims to achieve fully climate proof status for the city by 2025. This is the kind of proactive measures that extremely climate vulnerable societies like India needs to look into.
Water storage in Rotterdam is integrated in the urban
environment wherever possible; collectively encouraging the installation of green roofs. The large-scale
application of green roofs contributes to a more sustainable, healthy city.
During heavy rainfall, these green roofs provide a valuable solution for
temporary water storage. It absorbs precipitation, reducing the speed of
rainwater runoff and delaying the peak in discharge. As a result, the pressure
on the sewerage system is reduced in times of heavy rainfall.
Water plazas, known as the watersquare
because of its shape, the design is presented in two main parts: a sports field
and a hilly playfield. The sports field is sunken into the ground by one meter
and is surrounded by steps which also functions as a grandstand where
spectators can sit and watch a game. The playfield compromises of several
spaces that are set at different levels where people can sit and have a
relaxing picnic or where children can play. Both parts are enclosed within a
green frame of grass and trees which borders the square.
During
drier months of the year, the watersquare will be used as recreational space.
It is only during times of heavy rainfall will the watersquare change its
appearance and function. Design ensures that the spaces flood in a gradual
manner and collected rainwater flows into the watersquare and fill different
parts of the hilly playfields.
Rainwater
remains in the watersquare until it can be discharged into the nearest water
body. Short cloudbursts create streams, brooklets and small ponds that allow
children to play in and around the water. During prolonged downpours, the
watersquare will gradually fill up until the sports fields are flooded and the
square becomes purely a water storage basin. It is expected to hold a maximum
of 1000 cubic metres of rainwater.It is worth noting that the watersquare is
not a sewage treatment facility - it will only require a clean sewerage system
of rainwater. It can also be used in combination with the green roofs whereby
rainwater is collected and filtered in a separate clean water system, which
then takes it from roofs to the watersquare.
Other
storage applications involve multifunctional
car parks. The new car park near the Museumpark, for instance, will be
equipped with an underground water storage facility touted to become the
largest water storage facilities in the Netherlands. Under the entrance to the
Museumpark, an underground water storage is being constructed for sewage, with
an extra capacity of 10,000 m3.
Whenever
heavy rains threaten to cause the sewerage system in the centre to overflow,
within thirty minutes, 10 million litres of rainwater will flow into the water
storage. When the downpour is over, the rainwater will be pumped into the
sewers and discharged in the usual manner.
The construction of additional water storage facilities and
water plazas, and green roof, all help to preserve the optimal quality of life
in the city despite the drastic climate change. These initiatives involve
innovative alternatives for water storage, solutions for water collection
during heavy downpours (emergency storage), and options to delay the discharge
of rainwater. The aim is that even during dry periods the city will have water
of a sufficient quality.
(sourced from waterworld.com)
PS:
the increasing intensity, and numbers, of hurricanes in peninsular coasts of
Atlantic seems like a portent warning of impending NW monsoon related cyclones
in Bay of Bengal and the serious impact on eastern part of peninsular India. There
are few months left, hope they do adequate preparations.
