American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER)

2016
American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER)
e-ISSN: 2320-0847 p-ISSN : 2320-0936
Volume-5, Issue-10, pp-102-110
www.ajer.org
Research Paper
Open Access

Integrated Storm Water Management An Approach for Urban

Flooding In Hyderabad, India
Zameer Ahmed1, Prof.D. Ram Mohan Rao2, Dr. K.Ram Mohan Reddy3,
Dr. Y. Ellam Raj4
1

Director (Tech), NCPE IIPL, Hyderabad, India

Prof., Dept of Civil Engg., MJCET, Hyderabad, India
3
Professor and Head, Water Resources Division, JNTU, Hyderabad, India
4
Dean, AVN institute of Engineering and Technology, Hyderabad, India
2

ABSTRACT: Flooding in general and urban flooding became common event in world and in India. Un-even
distribution of rain fall coupled with rapid and unplanned urbanization, encroaching upon and filling up
natural drainage channels and urban lakes to use the high-value urban land for buildings are the cause of
urban flooding. The illegal filling of urban water bodies in cities like Calcutta, Delhi, and Hyderabad etc. is a
unchecked. Storm water management has become complex phenomenon especially in urban scenario where
land costs are high. Especially in cities like Hyderabad, India, where unplanned settlements are more common
in low laying areas which are water bodies once upon time. Integrated stormwater management is simply
thinking about all of the factors that somehow affect precipitation as it moves from the land surface to an
eventual receiving water. It is the process of accounting for all of these factors (e.g. rate, volume, quality,
ground water impact) in a logical process so that inadvertent mistakes are not made that could eventually harm
a resource. In Integrated Stormwater management by prioritizing goals and actions (ideally through consensus)
provides a road map for moving towards a target condition by identifying the interconnected nature of goals,
values and expectations, risks and opportunities, what needs to be done to manage the risks and achieve the
opportunities, who should be responsible, a general timeline for implementation.
Keywords: Urban Flooding, Integrated storm water management, Risk, vulnerability, Response, Recovery

I.

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of
2008.[1] It is predicted that by 2050 about 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be
urbanized.[2] That is equivalent to approximately 3 billion urbanites by 2050, much of which will occur in Africa
and Asia.[3] Notably, the United Nations has also recently projected that nearly all global population growth
from 2016 to 2030 will be absorbed by cities, about 1.1 billion new urbanites over the next 14 years. [4]. Fig 1
shows Global historical shift of the Urban/rural population ratio. With high densities of urban population and
assets and more than 80% of cities are in river basins or closer to coast or both flooding possess a challenge.
Recent statistics clearly indicate that economic damages caused by urban floods are rising [5]. On one
hand, the continuing urbanization process in combination with an over-proportional growth of values in cities is
responsible for this trend, while on the other hand floods are indeed increasing, both in terms of frequency and
magnitude. From the available records there has been a rise in floods since 1960 and since early 1990 this
increase is more significant. Fig 2 shows the number of flood disasters since 1960 worldwide.

Figure 1: Global Historical shift of urban/Rural Population

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Figure 2: Number of Flood disasters

Although cities in areas experiencing heavy precipitation due to their very nature of having large
impervious areas, so that the rain flood water and wastewater do not infiltrate into the ground, produce large
run-off which the drainage network cannot accommodate, are potentially exposed to floods. Irrespective of
whether urban floods are part of larger riverine floods or result from inadequate drainage capacities, the damage
potential of floods in cities is extraordinarily high. Given the high spatial concentration of people and values in
cities, even small scale floods may lead to considerable damages. In extreme cases urban floods can result in
disasters that set back urban development by years or even decades.
Under these circumstances the sustainable management of urban flood risk is becoming an increasingly
challenging task for urban communities and the responsible authorities to address. Too often urban flood
management is marked by a narrow view on floods, concentrating on hydraulic and engineering aspects of flood
management while ignoring spatial, ecological, political and socio-economic aspects and risks.
Flooding is often a major problem in cities in general and Hyderabad, India is not an exceptional case.
Informal settlements are located along natural drains or in low laying areas are more prone to severe and
frequent flooding

II.

LITERATURE REVIEW

1.

Urban Flood Risk:

Primarily risk is understood superficially by equating it with the occurrence of an extreme event or
hazard (flood, drought, earthquake, storm, landslide etc.) caused by natural forces or by a combination of natural
forces and human influences. However it is necessary to consider the second component in the creation of risk is
the fact that somebody or something has to be at risk; i.e. vulnerable to a hazard.
Risk is the probability of a loss, and this depends on three elements: hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. If any
of these three elements in risk increases or decreases, then the risk increases or decreases respectively.[6]
Risk = function (Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability)
2.

Vulnerability Of Urban Areas To Floods:

Vulnerability is the most crucial component of risk in that it determines whether or not exposure to a
hazard constitutes a risk that may actually result in a disaster. If the potential exposure to floods becomes reality,
i.e. when flood waters physically encroach on people and infrastructure, then the vulnerability of people and
infrastructure is decisive for the degree of harm and damage. Three types of vulnerability can be distinguished:
Physical vulnerability of people and infrastructure;
Unfavorable organizational and economic conditions; and
Attitudes and motivations.
Briefly, the vulnerability to flood risks in urban settlements, particularly in developing countries in
informal developments can be attributed to the following factors:
Risk prone areas are the only areas that the poor migrants are able to afford
Failure to perceive flood risks due to lack of knowledge till a flood strikes
Infrastructure to reduce risk is not economically viable
Flooding (particularly local flooding) occurs so regularly that they become accustomed to living with risks

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3.

Impacts Of Urban Floods

Urban floods have large impacts particularly in terms of economic losses both direct and indirect.
Flood risks are a function of exposure of the people and the economic activities along with the vulnerability of
social and economic fabric. As such the impact of such floods on the lives and livelihoods of people, a function
of their vulnerability, needs to be understood. A number of urban characteristics particularly in low and middle
income countries that have relevance to the increased flood risks are:
i. Concentrated population due to concentrated income earning opportunities;
ii. Large impermeable surfaces and construction of buildings;
iii. Concentration of solid and liquid waste without any formal disposal systems;
iv. Obstructed drainage systems;
v. Intensive economic activities;
vi. High value of infrastructure and properties;
vii. Forcing out of poor from official land markets giving rise to informal settlements;
viii. Housing without any health and hygiene standards; and
ix. Changes in regions around cities.
4.

Integrated Management Of Urban Floods

Final goal of any integrated urban flood risk management is to minimize human loss and economic
damages, while making use of the natural resources for the benefit and well being of the people. However it is
realized flood risks cannot be entirely avoided, thus they have to be managed. This may be achieved either by
reducing flood risks to an acceptable level or by retaining, sharing or transferring flood risks through respective
measures. This can be achieved by proper understanding of
i. risk assessment,
ii. planning and implementation of measures,
iii. evaluation and risk reassessment.
5.

Risk Assessment
Urban flood risk assessment starts with study of present and future flood risks with respect to hazard,
exposure and vulnerability. Risk assessment has to be carried out in an integrated manner, by identifying all the
possible water related hazards, including floods are likely to develop in the future as a result of urbanisation.
Different cases should be studied in order to see the effects of likely future changes on urban floods (i.e.
urbanization, reduction in green cover, reduction in infiltration capacity, climate variability and change, land use
changes etc.). A risk mapping using GIS can be used for analysis purpose.
5.1 Planning And Implementation Of Measures
Planning and implementation includes Preparedness; Response; and Recovery. Preparedness measures
attempt to prevent potential risks turning into disasters. Response measures are implemented during or directly
after a flooding incidence. Preventive and preparatory measures are generally more cost-efficient and
sustainable than emergency response measures. Recovery aim to the definitive reconstruction of damaged
infrastructure.
5.2 Evaluation And Risk Assessment.
The evaluation of risk is concerned with issues relating to how those affected by risks perceive them,
the value issues underlying the perceived problem and the trade-off between the perceived risks and benefits.
Risk evaluation attempts to define what the estimated risk actually means to people concerned with or affected
by the risk. A large part of this evaluation will be the consideration of how people perceive risks.
6. Approaches To Reducing Flood Risk
6.1 Structural Actions
Restoration of natural features of catchment, including wetlands, forests and floodplains
Clearance and repair works to rivers
Channel improvements, Walls, embankments and other defenses
Barriers, barrages and other dams or storage structures
Drainage infrastructures
Flood proofing buildings

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6.2 Non Structural Actions

Zoning
Building Codes
Flood warning/Forecasting
Public awareness raising campaigns
Planning system and planning decisions
Emergency response
Relocation
Compensation
Temporary defenses

III.

STUDY AREA: HYDERABAD, INDIA

Hyderabad is the capital of southern India's Telangana state. It is fourth most populous city and sixth
most populous urban agglomeration in India. It is second largest urban agglomeration in India. Average altitude
is 542 meters. Hyderabad is situated on hilly terrain around artificial lakes. Greater Hyderabad Municipal
Corporation is spread over an area of 650 Sq. Km and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development area is spread over
7100 Sq. Kms. Population of GHMC as per 2011 census is 68,09,970 and projected as 1,52,00,000 by 2046.

Figure 3: Study Area, Hyderabad, India

Heavy rain from the south-west summer monsoon falls between June and September, supplying
Hyderabad with most of its mean annual rainfall. Since records began in November 1891, the heaviest rainfall
recorded in a 24-hour period was 241.5 mm (10 in) on 24 August 2000. Many research papers said that in recent
years number of rainy days are decreasing and this trend is going to be continued. For Hyderabad it has analysed
that the reduction in number of rainy days from 1951 to 2007 is 10.7% (7). However at the same time as per Sri.
Laxman Singh Rathore, Director General, Indian Meteorological Department, at the inauguration of an
International Conference on Bio-resource and Stress Management (ICBSM) here on 18 th Jan, 2015Projections
of monsoon rainfall pattern over Indian sub-continent indicate that by 2050, 10 per cent increase in the amount
and intensity of rainfall is expected due to climate change, leading to increase in erosive power of rainfall. Even
one per cent increase in rainfall intensity will increase rainfall erosive power by 2 per cent and soil loss from
crop lands by 1.5 per cent,(8).

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Figure 4: Variation in Intensity of rain fall

The Analysis of rainfall data of Hyderabad IMD station from 2000 to 2010 revealed that there is a
considerable increase in number of rainfall events of 20 mm/hr and 40 mm/Hr. (9) From the graph it is evident
that rain fall intensities are increasing with time resulting in to more urban flooding.
During 1906, Musi river floods the then Nizam created 534 artificial lakes in the chain form in the city
to minimize the flood effect and make use of flooded water for future needs. After century t there are only 169
lakes left in the city. All the others have been encroached upon. The rapid urbanization and industrialization of
Hyderabad resulted in drastic increase of the urban sprawl which in turn posed severe pressure on urban lakes
by deteriorating water quality and ultimately finally resulting in the water body vanishing. Comparison of
Survey of India toposheets of 1974 and 2005-06 showed that 156 tanks occupying an area of 13.86 Sq.km was
reduced to 109 tanks occupying an area of 12.06 Sq Km. Total 64 Tanks were disappeared and 17 new tanks
were formed in the area

Figure 5: Lakes in 1974 and 2006

Water logging was also reported in areas such as Mehdipatnam, Uppal ,Ramanthapur,Dilshuknagar,
Kapra, GaddiannaramVijaynagar Colony, Tolichowki and M.J. Market, Malakpet, Secundrabad , Banjara hills
,Ameerpet, Kukatpally, NMDC, L.B.Nagar, Amberpet ,6.no, Nallakunta , Lakdikapul, Chaderghat , S.R.Nagar,
Moosapet, Tukaram gate Junction, Near Mahendra hills T Junction, Near magna super market, Habsiguda cross
road. Near Vittalwadi X roads, Near Tourist hoteletc
Urbanization involves change of land cover in vast expanse of areas with growing concentration of
human population. It is an irreversible process. High population densities in urban landscapes could lead to
shortfall of infrastructure and basic amenities. Fig 5 shows the urbanization in Hyderabad and its growth. The
results shows that, considerable decrease in the area of water through the period due to Non-implementation of
the environmental laws and haphazard planning and growth of Hyderabad city, which also have reduced the
Musi river and the different lakes in the city area.

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Figure 6: Urbanisation in Hyderabad

Fig 7 shows the land use changesdue to urbanization in Hyderabad with time. From the figure it can be
concluded that area under water bodies has decreased from 10000 acres to 3800 acres, High density urban area
has increased from 22000 acres to 61000 acres, whereas follow land has decreased from 70000 acres to 40500
acres in a span of 21 years.

Figure 7: Change in Land Use in Hyderabad

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The drainage system in Hyderabad comprises of a hierarchy of natural and man-made drains and water
bodies that ultimately discharge surface run-off into River Musi and Hussain Sagar. Numerous lakes and nalahs
constitute a major storm water drainage system for the area .The nalahs are the major carriers of storm water
finally disposing into the river and water bodies in the catchment.

IV.

INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND DESIGN

The objectives of an Integrated Stormwater Management plan (ISMP) will be watershed-specific, with
following components:
Drainage Objectives - Alleviate existing and/or potential drainage, erosion, and flooding concerns.
Stream Protection Objectives - Protect and/or restore stream health, including riparian and aquatic habitat.
Water Quality Objectives - Remediate existing and/or potential water quality problems.
The ISMP should focus on the integration of stormwater management and land use planning. An
ISMP is an integral component of a local governments land development and growth management
strategy because upstream activities (land use change) have downstream consequences (flood risk and
environmental risk). A Layered approach may be useful to develop ISMP. Layered approach may involve
First Layer Identify the stormwater-related objectives for a watershed (e.g. protection of aquatic resources,
protection of life and property, protection of water quality). These objectives define what the ISMP is striving to
achieve.
Second Layer Develop strategies to achieve the watershed objectives. This includes setting performance
targets to guide selection of site design solutions.
Third Layer Implement appropriate site design solutions (e.g. source controls) for achieving performance
targets that suit local objectives and conditions.
To select appropriate storm water management strategies and site design solutions, it is first necessary
to identify the resources to be protected, the threats to those resources, and the alternative management
strategies for resource protection.

Figure 8: ISMP Process

An ISMP includes three core deliverables or technical products an inventory, component plans, and
an implementation program. The distribution of effort among the three products should be balanced. If site level
solutions are to successfully fit into a larger watershed context, political will and commitment are essential
inputs at two critical points in the ISMP development process. Community expectations and legislative
initiatives provide the driving force for political action to launch the ISMP process. Prepare a building block in
ISMP as first step.

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From Output derive ISMB deliverables and Scope of deliverables

S. No
1

ISMP DELIVERABLE
An inventory of the physical
and biological systems

Component plans to protect

key
resources,
resolve
identified
problems,
and
accommodate development
An implementation program

SCOPE OF DELIVERABLE
streams, rivers, and drainage systems, wetlands, ponds and lakes, infiltration
areas and aquifers, land use information flooding and erosion problem areas,
water quality problems
plan for integrating appropriate source controls with land development,
including a description of any required regulatory changes, plan for
improvements to drainage systems and stream reaches, plan for ongoing data
collection and monitoring, cost estimates for all planned actions
Administration, projects, phasing and budgets, financing mechanisms,
community education, maintenance activities, standards and schedules,
performance monitoring

After defining the deliverables, seven step process may be used for development and implementing ISMP.
Step
1

Scope
Secure Political Interest and Support
Inter-departmental & inter-agency steering
committee
Political and public support
Stakeholder focus groups

Description
An ISMP process starts with a high-level political commitment to
protecting property, water quality and aquatic habitat. This is
required to convert high-level policy statements into concrete
action so that there will be a flow of funding for the ISMP process.
Without political support for funding, there will be no ISMP
process. Once funding is assured, however, a key to a successful
outcome is that there be a commitment by all stakeholders to make
the ISMP process work.
Frame the Watershed Problems and This involves application of an interdisciplinary roundtable
Opportunities
process. To identify and rank the problems and opportunities in a
watershed. Sufficient time must be invested at this stage to ensure
Assemble existing information
Identify
and
prioritize
problems that there is a clear understanding of the problems to be solved.
This understanding will then guide the rest of the ISMP process.
(knowledge-based approach)
Develop Objectives and Alternative Scenarios
It involves further application of the interdisciplinary roundtable
Establish desired levels of environmental process to:
i.
determine which problems and/or opportunities are priorities
protection and other objectives
for action
Set appropriate performance targets
establish objectives for dealing with these priority
Model alternative scenarios for achieving ii.
problems/opportunities
targets
iii.
develop alternative scenarios for achieving the objectives
Developing a common understanding among participants in
the ISMP process is key to developing a shared vision of what
is desirable, practical and achievable.
Collect Meaningful Data and Refine Scenarios Collect the additional data that may be needed to evaluate the
Collect data needed to:
effectiveness, feasibility and affordability of implementing the
scenarios identified in Step #3 for meeting watershed objectives.
refine scenario models
evaluate effectiveness and affordabilitye.g. This step may involve collecting site-specific data to refine the
assumptions of the scenario models generated in Step #3
hydrometric data, soils data
Evaluate Alternatives & Develop ISMP Once watershed objectives have been established, alternative
scenarios for achieving those objectives have been generated, and
Component Plans
the data needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these scenarios has
Land Development Action Plan
been collected, the next step is to evaluate the alternatives and
Habitat Enhancement Plan
make decisions.
Flood Risk Mitigation Plan
These decisions will provide the basis for developing plans for
habitat enhancement, flood risk mitigation and relevant land
development actions. These are all related components of an
ISMP..
The fourth component is a financial and implementation program
(see Step #6), which is essential for moving from planning to
action.
Develop an Implementation Program Finance The Financial Plan and Implementation Program should therefore
and implement ISMP actions
outline how the land acquisition and capital financing of the
elements can be achieved. Tools might include negotiations during
zoning changes, land exchange, density bonuses. Strategies will be
specific to the properties in question.
In addition to capital financing, the regulatory framework is
another component of implementation to be used in balance with
public awareness and capital works programs.
Refine Through Adaptive Management This is key to resolving stakeholder uncertainty associated with
Define adaptive management rules, roles changes in standard practice. Monitoring and evaluating the
performance of demonstration projects will provide confidence in
and responsibilities
new approaches. It will also provide the basis for optimizing
Constantly improve integrated solutions
stormwater system design to reduce costs while still achieving
defined goals for protecting downstream property, aquatic habitat
and receiving water quality

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CONCLUSION

Storm water management is a complex phenomenon especially in urban scenario where land costs are
high. Especially in cities like Hyderabad, India unplanned settlements are more common in low laying areas
which are water bodies once upon time. Since flooding is not a frequent process, people are ready to live in this
areas as the chances of flooding is once in five or ten years. This is resulting into further worsening of the
problem and frequency flooding is increasing. This is multiplying with changes in climate due to which intensity
of rain is increasing year by year. A long-term vision is necessary to focus on urban stormwater management.
This vision provides a context for all planning, data collection, sensitivity analyses, capital
expenditures and regulatory changes. In Integrated Stormwater management by prioritizing goals and actions
(ideally through consensus) provides a road map for moving towards a target condition by identifying the
interconnected nature of goals, values and expectations, risks and opportunities, what needs to be done to
manage the risks and achieve the opportunities, who should be responsible, a general timeline for
implementation. This framework addresses the goal of identifying options to change the way that land is
developed and re-developed, so that people, property and natural systems can be better protected and over time,
infrastructure can be managed more efficiently and watersheds can become healthier.

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