Why Gujarat Should Be Mindful Of Kerala-Like Flood Situation

Call it the wrath of nature, God’s own country, Kerala is currently reeling under the aftermath of incessant rainfall. This has caused much destruction to life and property. Most Indian cities would not be able to hold ground if faced by the kind of flood that Kerala has witnessed this year. Take for example, Gujarat. The loss of life and property will be at a bigger level and it would take more effort for Gujarat to get back on its feet.

The history of floods

Cities in Gujarat have faced multiple flood situation in the past twenty years. Surat faced floods in 2016 while Amreli district got flood-struck in 2015. In 2017, floods have devastated cities of Banaskantha and Patan. According to an estimate, more than a million households were affected, over 4,000 animals were killed due to the floods and as many as 80,000 people were relocated to safer places. While the state administration has never been prepared for the situation, the Kerala-like situation would take a heavy toll on human life if Gujarat ever faced such a calamity.

The problem

The main crisis during the flood situation will be caused by the Tapi river in Surat which used to carry 6-7 lakh cusecs during flood but due to rampant construction, encroachments, siltation and obstruction of the river system, now it carries 2 lakh cusecs. The situation is more or less same with Narmada, Sabarmati, Vishwamitri and other rivers that flow through the state. The cities of Gujarat are not planned in a way to handle the major-floods as the floodplain zoning has not been done scientifically. Faulty urbanization has narrowed the rivers that can cause a major flood in the state.

Timely assessment of the dams can prevent such damage. There should be a structural audit for all the dam structures in the state.

While this year too, the threat is looming over the state of a furious torrential rain, the situation has subsided for now.  However, in Gir Somnath district of Saurashtra, 252 people were rescued as the train they were travelling in was stranded on flooded tracks. The downpour had led to floods in Valsad, Navsari, Dangs and Surat in south Gujarat, and Junagadh, Amreli and Gir Somnath in Saurashtra

Last year, the city of Ahmedabad faced a 10-hour downpour which made the circumstances grimmer for citizens when waterlogging brought the city to a standstill.  Parts of nearly 20 buildings collapsed during the rain while nearly 3,800 people were relocated to safer places from worst-hit localities of Chandrabhaga, Vinzol, Nikol, Narol, Isan Nagar and Keshavnagar.