Architecture Research 2012;

Urban Flood Management

A Case Study Of Chennai City
Ar. K.Lavanya11
1

Assistant Professor, Crescent School Of Architecture, B.S.Abdur Rahman University, Chennai, 600073, India

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.
Keywords Urban Flood, Flood Management, Flood risk, Chennai Flood

Architecture Research 2012;

Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

1. Prologue of Chennai:
Chennai, State capital of Tamil Nadu lies in the
Eastern Coast of South India where three
watercourses meanders through it namely,
Cooum River, Adyar River and Buckingham
Canal. Chennai is the fourth largest Metropolitan
in India having a total population of nearly 47
Lakhs2 with a growth rate of 13% and density of
26903. Within a century, Chennai has grown 8
fold times in population (Figure 1).

Figure:1 Growth of Chennai City

Source: Chennai Municipal Area Corporation

1.1Growth of Chennai City

Chennai, having a plain terrain bounded by Bay of Bengal
in the East having an average elevation 6.7m from the sea
level. Chennai experiences most of its rainfall during
October to December associated with Depressions &
frequent cyclones during this period. Average annual
rainfall is about 1200 mm 1300 mm being situated on the
coastal
side.

Tamil Nadu District wise Census, 2011

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City is drained by those 2 rivers in addition to many major

& minor drainage channels through Buckingham Canal to
Sea (Figure 2). The city is also having more than 50 Temple
tanks in addition to natural water bodies to capture flood
water and acts as ground water recharging wells.
Chennai also has Pallikaranai swamps, Madhavaram &
Manali jheels, Adyar & Couum Estuaries as a wetland
sources apart from natural & manmade waterbodies.

Figure 2: Rivers & Drainage Systems of CMA

Source: An Article on Waterways in Chennai
by T. Kanthimathinathan

Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

Chennai frequently experiences flooding due to heavy rain

associated with depressions & cyclones. Of which few
catastrophic floods during 1976, 1985, 1996, 1998, 2005,
2008 and 2010 caused heavy damages. Now-a-days,
unexpected holidays due to heavy downpour are quite
common especially during October December. In short,
Chennai is not starving for rain; it is starving for water
which is due to mismanagement of water storage. In 2010,
Chennai received about 760mm rainfall only during
October December period. Recent highest rainfall in a day
was 423 mm on 27.10.2005. All these shows whether
Chennai is prepared to drain this flash flood without having
hindrances in their day to day life? Closing of schools due
to flooding every year is common in many parts of Chennai.
Since it is more frequent every year why effective
management is not so happened? Where is the lacuna? This
article is aimed to arrive out the gaps in resolving the
persistent issue. Though the paper is majorly based on data
from secondary sources, the data analysis & inferences out
of that is purely arrived on the basis of current happenings.

The following are the factors [1] which hamper the living in
Chennai due to floods though it can be categorized broadly
under changes in climate & micro-regional environmental
factors. Each factor is dealt in detail in the subsequent
clauses.

2. History of Chennai Floods:

2.1 Causes of Chennai Floods (Table 1):

Chennai is not an exceptional one from other metros
which is suffering due to rapid urbanization. It is also
contributing with the increase in floating population every
year as it is a hub of all major economical activities.

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Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

CAUSES

TYPES OF
FACTORS
Increase in
rainfall

ELEMENTS
Due to
change

global

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

2.1.1 Direct Factors:

climatic

(i)

Chennai accounts to frequent flash floods due

to consistent increase in the amount of rainfall
also, out of which during 2005, 2008 & 2010
are considerable one (Figure 3). The city gets
most of its seasonal rainfall from the north
east monsoon winds during mid of October to
mid of December. Cyclones in the Bay of
Bengal also sometimes hit the city.

Encroachment of all water

bodies, wetlands, etc.,
Construction
of
transportation networks all
along
the
major
watercourses
Urbanization
Direct
Factors

Increase in rainfall:

Increase in concrete spaces

which stops percolation of
water into the ground
3000

2003

Decrease
in
areas/green spaces

2000

open

1500
1000
500

Lack of Transportation
facilities (esp. in slums)

RAINFALL (IN MM)

2500

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

2010

YEAR

Topography

Inadequate
& poor
drainage
systems

Indirect
Factors

Plain terrain lacking natural

gradient for free run-off

Sewage
systems
were
planned originally before 4
decades and only few minor
modifications made which
is far below the required
capacity

Heavy siltation all along the

drainage channels
Lack
of
coordination
between the agencies

Disposal of
solid waste
& other
debris
Vehicle
parking on
roads

Attitude of people
Lack
of
management
measures by the agencies
Increase in concrete spaces
Discrepancies between
public & local authority

Table 1 : Causes of Chennai Floods

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Figure 3:Average annual rainfall in Chennai

Source: Chennai Meteorological Department

(ii)

Urbanization

As a known factor, urbanization is closely linked with the

economic activities & the facilities provided in a particular
area, Chennai, since the capital city of Tamil Nadu flooded
with number of employment prospects & henceforth the
facilities so as to cater their needs. Chennai has a large
migrant population which accounts to 22% of Chennais
population in 2001. Due to this, the encroachment of all
water bodies as slums & for the development of urban
infrastructure reduces the rain water carriage capacity of the
few existing water ways. Development of transportation
facilities like MRTS all along the water ways in some areas
and subsequent developments of that also aggravates the
flood risks of Chennai in addition to health risks.

Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

River

Figure 4: Map showing the locations of various water

bodies located in and around Chennai before 65 years.

Chennai with the fast pace of developments has witnessed a

steady deterioration and decrease in the number of water
bodies. It is estimated that more than half of the wetlands
have been converted for other uses. Chennai had about 6503
small and big water bodies in and around the city, but today
the number has been reduced to less than 30. Ownership of
water bodies is scattered among various government
departments and is the root cause for lack of proper
management. The Protection of Tanks and Eviction of
Encroachment Act, came into effect from October 2007.
However, there has been lack of implementation of this law.

Based on the research project done by Centre for

Environmental and Water Resource Engineering, IIT
Madras

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This 65-year old map (Figure 4) shows the locations of

several water bodies. The gray areas of the map represent
eris, or small ponds. The gray water bodies are seasonal, in
that they appear during the rainy seasons and remain dry
during the rest of the year. When this map is compared with
the recent one, it shows many of the water bodies have
either shrunk or disappeared. According to records of the
Water Resources Department (WRD), the area of 19 major
lakes has been shrunk from a total of 1,130 hectares to
nearly 645 hectares and hence reduced their storage
capacity. Also, the ground water level came down up to
10m within 5 years (1995 2001) [6].
The drastic change in Land Use of Chennai [6] due to
urbanization (1995 2007) also adds fuel to the current risk
of flood in every year. The change in land cover during
1997 to 2001 is given in Figure 5. Most of the green cover
are reduced to non-vegetative or a concrete space. Due to
this, the surface run-off is too high and the infiltration
capacity of land has gone down drastically. Due to the
increase in impervious areas, Chennai experiences severity
of floods during every heavy rainfall.

Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

Figure 5: Chennai Citys Land Cover from 1997 - 2001

Source: Sundaram Map, 2009
Many of the water bodies, green cover and natural
depressions have disappeared due to the human induced
successions as it is filled with wastes or
developments/encroachments and become flood prone areas
(Figure 6) .

(iii)

Topography

Chennai has a terrain slope varying from 1:5000 to 1:

10000. It is a low-lying area and almost like a pancake.
It rises slightly as the distance from the sea-shore
increases but the average elevation of the city is not
more than 22' above MSL, while most of the localities
are just at sea-level and drainage in such areas remains
a serious problem.
2.1.2 Indirect Factors:
(i)

Inadequate and Poor Drainage systems:

Apart from plain terrain lacking natural gradient for

free run-off, the sewage system was originally designed
for about 6.5 lakhs population at 114 lpcd of water
supply. Later it was modified during 1989-91 even
then it has not reached the required capacity.
Due to dumping of garbage and massive reclamation,
marshland especially in south Chennai ahs reduced
to one-tenth of its size [12].
Also, the government has built a slum resettlement
colony along the river channel and multi-storeyed
housing estates have come up which blocks the natural
drainage of river basin into the sea. The original silting
pattern was shifted due to the development. Moreover,
sewage and industrial effluent dumped into the canal
and silting have left the waterway stagnant.

Figure 6: Flood risk hotspots in Chennai

Metropolitan area
(Source: CMDA)

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Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

Planning of individual division oriented projects

without involving associated authorities is the major
drawback which is reflecting as a major gap from the
institution side. Absence of accurate topographic map
is worsening the situation more.

structural and non-structural measures. Funds under

JNURM project have been visualized for implementation of
underground sewerage schemes and detailed project reports
are being developed. In 2010, the State Government has
launched a massive flood mitigation project for the city,
involving construction of new micro and macro drainage
systems in four basins and making improvements to
existing drainage, at a cost of Rs.1, 447 crores under
JNNURM. The works like improvements works to divert
surplus water, desiltation, strengthening existing city
drainage network, etc.,

Total waste water outfalls in water ways accounts to

85%. This is an alarming issue which has to be
addressed immediately. The Attitude of people is
appalling causing the pile of solid wastes
Chennai witnesses 425 new vehicles put on road every
day causing pressure for motorable and parking space.
Increase in road space accounts to 3 - 4%

4. Findings & Recommendations

Both humans and nature put together the ground for the
perennial flood tribulations. The immediate need is to
create a scientific inventory of water bodies and delineate
flood zones within the city. The flood zone will have to be
identified based on the location of the water bodies, natural
drains, water shed area and it has to be made as a no
building zone. More campaigns have to be conducted at the
local level in order to create awareness to the public about
the causative factors for the flood disasters. In addition to
the above, the wide-ranging management measures will
help Chennai to be relieved from the recurrent flood
menaces almost every monsoon.
An integrated approach, therefore, needs to combine
watershed and land-use management with development
planning, engineering measures, flood preparedness,
and emergency management in the affected lowlands,
while taking into account the social and economic needs
of communities in both the highland source areas, and
also the lowland flood-prone areas*.

3. Master Plan & Flood Mitigation in Chennai A

Quick review
Flood Alleviation Scheme funded by Government with a
cost Rs.3000 million was launched in 1998 focusing mainly
on structural measures with the objectives like adequacy of
flow in the arterial drainage system, safeguard against tidal
and fluvial flooding, removing impediments, relocation and
rehabilitation of encroachers. Cleaning of certain waterways
and lakes was also undertaken under packages 2 and 3 of
the scheme.
Chennai City River Conservation Project which was
launched in 2000 [2] is aimed to improve the waterways,
with an estimated outlay of Rs.17,000 million. The Master
Plan 19921993 incorporated Madras Metro Flood Relief/
Storm Water Drainage study outcomes in the form of

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5. SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS TO HURL OUT FROM

THE FLOOD HAZARD (Both structurally & nonstructurally):
1.

An integrated approach in Flood control and

Management: It can be done by creating an
unified flood management agency which acts as a
nodal group to carry out the function of planning,
co-ordination and monitoring of all the existing
bodies like CMDA, Corporation of Chennai, Slum
Clearance Board, CMWSSB, etc., in addition to
the Disaster management agency

2.

Preparation of Topographical Map: Accurate

topographical map (at least for the flood prone
areas immediately) should be prepared by the local
authority using GIS through digital elevation and
terrain mapping.

Urban Flood Management A case study of Chennai City

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Distinguished Chennai River Restoration

programme: It will support to alleviate the flood
issues to a considerable level in addition to the
Lake conservation programme [3].
Prevention of Pollution: Impeding the disposal of
untreated sewage, sullage and solid wastes will
reduce the problem of choking the waterways
which magnifies the flood crisis.
Clearing off the encroachments near the water
bodies: All encroachments in and around the water
bodies and flood plains should be cleared off and
they have to be rehabilitated in other areas will
subsequently reduce the flood crisis
Scientific study about flood pattern: There is an
immediate requirement about the study of flood
pattern at least for 5 years using hydrological and
hydraulic modeling techniques which guides us
with a strategic planning collectively.
River-front water development plans will help the
stakeholders in managing the flood control plan
effectively and also creates awareness to the public
also about the advantages in maintaining the water
resources.
A rapid assessment of flood inundation mapping
is required before the monsoon starts so as to
effectively alleviate the flood risks.
Flood Mitigation Programmes: Construction of
raised platforms, Flood walls, town protection
works should carried out and monitored for
effective mitigation of flood menace.

10. Water shed management: Timely cleaning, desilting and deepening of natural water reservoirs
and drainage channels (both urban and rural) has to
be taken up.
11. Increasing Green cover: It requires more of
planning and regulatory control over the open
space and ground cover.
12. Public Awareness: People should be made aware
about the flood preparedness, response and
mitigation measures.
The above list of strategies is an illustrative and not an
exhaustive but once implemented effectively will reduce the
flood risks efficiently. Finally the approach in implementing
the above said strategies should be at the micro to macro
level approach for a fruitful result.

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Article by K.Lavanya, Architect and Urban Planner

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