Urban Flood Management – A Case Study of Chennai City

Abstract

In the recent decades, Indian cities are witnessing devastating floods more often due to heavy rainfall, cyclones, etc., Though Tamil Nadu is not under flood risk prone zone as mapped by meteorological department (New Delhi), within the local body there are few low-lying areas which are susceptible to inundation which also depends mainly on the developments near major drainage systems, encroachment of water bodies, inability of major canals to carry heavy rains, overflowing reservoirs. Chennai, one of the fast growing metros is likely affected by the lack of drainage mainly due to uncontrolled developments of concrete spaces, encroachment of major drainage channels, shrinking of marshlands, etc,. Though Urbanization, the vital factor of response for the flood risks is coupled with the climatic variability and ecological imbalances. The paper discusses causative factors responsible for flood risks in Chennai, the immediate need for proper flood risk reduction and management strategies.