CASE STUDY ON CHANDIGARH

FLOODS (JULY 2023)

CHANDIGARH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

SECTOR-26, CHANDIGARH

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Er. KARUNA SHARMA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPT.

SUBMITTED BY:
HARSHIT GUPTA (LCO20268)
VINEET AHUJA (LCO20278)
JASHANVEER SINGH (CO20220)
RAHUL YADAV (CO20237)
 -CASE STUDY-
1. OVERVIEW
 Chandigarh, the meticulously planned city in northern India, faced
unprecedented challenges with recent floods.
 The floods, triggered by intense rainfall and geographical factors,
brought significant disruptions to the city's urban life and
infrastructure.
 Northern India experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall
over the weekend, coinciding with New Delhi witnessing its highest
precipitation in July in over four decades.
 Homes were inundated, transportation networks paralyzed, and
essential services strained.
 The government's response and relief efforts were crucial in
managing the crisis, highlighting both strengths and areas for
improvement.
 As Chandigarh grappled with the aftermath, community resilience
and solidarity played a pivotal role in the recovery process.

2. REASONS BEHIND THE FLOODS

2.1 EXCESSIVE RAINFALL

Excessive rainfall in Chandigarh, can have profound implications,
particularly in the context of flooding. The city of Chandigarh faced an
unprecedented weather event on June 9th, 2023, when it recorded a
staggering 449 mm of rainfall in just 50 hours, equivalent to 40% of its
annual rainfall quota. This intense rain led to flood threats across
Chandigarh and its satellite districts of Panchkula and Mohali in Haryana
and Punjab.
Over a 96-hour period until 8:30 AM, Chandigarh experienced continuous
rainfall, and an additional 51 mm fell by 10:30 AM, culminating in the
extraordinary total of 449 mm in 50 hours. This extreme weather situation
prompted authorities to issue an orange alert for Chandigarh and its
surrounding areas. The orange alert, the second-highest level in the
Indian Meteorological Department's four-color warning system, signifies
the likelihood of moderate to intense rainfall, urging residents to stay
vigilant and be prepared.
In neighboring Panchkula, an automatic weather station recorded 69.5
mm of rainfall, while the airport observatory in Chandigarh documented
a substantial 160.6 mm of rainfall by 10:30 AM.
2.2 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change is significantly impacting India, manifesting in various
environmental, social, and economic challenges. Rising temperatures,
altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events have become
increasingly prevalent across the country.
India has experienced a notable rise in average temperatures, leading to
heatwaves. Urban areas, particularly, witness heightened temperatures
due to the urban heat island effect.
A shift in the track of monsoon system like low pressure and depression
travelling south of the position and flash floods are a result of this change
and these changes spell intense and frequent extreme unprecedented
weather events over the places which once struggled to record even
normal monsoon rains
However, with warmer winters due to climate change, less winter
precipitation is falling as low and more is falling as rain instead This Shift
from snow to rain can have dramatic implication for flooding. While
typically melts slowly in late spring or summer, rain creates run of that
flows to river more quickly.

2.3 DRAINAGE
The intense rainfall in Chandigarh during July 2023 has exposed
vulnerabilities in the city's drainage system, leading to widespread
waterlogging. With precipitation levels reaching 300 mm, well beyond the
drainage capacity of certain sectors, the city struggled to manage the
excess water.
The drainage infrastructure in sectors above 30, designed to handle only
15 mm of rain per hour, proved insufficient for the extraordinary
downpour. Similarly, sectors below 30, with a slightly higher capacity of
25 mm of rain per hour, faced challenges as the rain intensity surpassed
their designed capacity. This limitation resulted in prolonged water
accumulation, especially in low-lying areas, making it difficult for the city
to cope with heavy rains.
A significant contributing factor to the waterlogging was the discovery of
a faulty drainage system. Stormwater pipes discharging into the natural
Choe, particularly in sectors 1 to 4, 9 to 17, 23 to 25, 35 to 37, and 40 to
43, faced complications due to the insufficient leveling of the Choe. The
N-Choe passing through Rose Garden and sectors 16 and 23 was found to
be blocked, hindering the flow of stormwater and causing overflow.
This revealed a critical need for immediate attention to the city's drainage
infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance,
upgrades, and strategic planning to address vulnerabilities and mitigate
the impact of heavy rainfall on Chandigarh's urban landscape

2.4 OPENING GATES OF SUKHNA LAKE

The persistent rain in the UK led to an unprecedented decision by the
engineering department to open 2 out of the 3 floodgates of Sukhna Lake,
a rare occurrence, allowing water levels to rise significantly. On the 10th
of July, the water level exceeded the danger mark by nearly 2 feet, raising
serious concerns about water body management and disaster
preparedness in the region.
The decision to release water from Sukhna Lake, while a preventive
measure, resulted in unforeseen challenges for nearby residential areas.
Proximity to the lake led to flooding in several residential zones,
compelling residents to evacuate their homes swiftly as water levels
surged. The impact extended beyond residential areas, severely affecting
roads and transportation networks. Inundated streets created significant
obstacles for vehicular movement, disrupting public transportation
services and illustrating the struggles faced by residents.

2.5. RAPID URBANISATION

Tricity residents say hap hazard and unplanned constructions that have
come up in the city’s periphery are the main reason for water logging in
these areas authorities are to be blamed not just for allowing such
townships and colonies to come up. But also, for not taking any timely
steps such as cleaning road gullies and seasonal chaos to prevent water
logging every season.
The urgent need in the Tricity is the enhancement of civic infrastructure,
especially stormwater drainage, to keep pace with the rapid urban
expansion. Moreover, residents advocate for making rainwater
harvesting mandatory for all residential and commercial buildings in
Chandigarh and its surrounding areas.
AFFECTED AREAS DUE TO FLOODS:
 Widespread waterlogging inundated various parts of the city, including
villages like Khuda Lahora, Dhanas, Budal, and Hallo Majra. Ram Chandar
Yadav, the counselor of Dhanas, reported extensive challenges faced by the
area during the episode of heavy rainfall. The region grappled with a lack of
electricity and water supply persisting for approximately 20 hours. The
rainwater permeated into houses, adding to the difficulties faced by residents,
and the road drains became completely clogged, exacerbating the situation.

 The city experienced relentless rainfall, resulting in substantial damage to

public infrastructure. In Dadu Majra, the boundary wall surrounding a garbage
dump collapsed, leading to the flooding of nearby residential areas with
leachate. Harjinder Singh, the President of the Colony Residents Welfare
Association, reported that houses in Chandigarh faced a dire flood situation
as leachate and chemicals entered them.

 Several section of roads experienced cave-ins at various locations including

Vigyan Path, the road that separates Sector 47 and 48, Sector 41-51 road,
Sector 14-15 road near a petrol pump in Sector 20, the parking lot of Japanese
Garden, the area adjacent to the MCM DAV College in Sector 36 and near the
Sector 31-32, 46-47 chowk.
 Reports of water ingress were also received from Sector 33B, indicating the
widespread impact of heavy rainfall on various parts of Chandigarh.
Furthermore, government houses in Sector 22 and 23 experienced roof leaks,
adding to the challenges faced by residents during the inclement weather. The
road leading to Kaimbwala had to be closed due to waterlogging, disrupting
transportation in the area.

 Multiple incidents of trees falling were reported in various locations across

Chandigarh, highlighting the impact of the heavy rainfall and adverse weather
conditions. These incidents occurred near the Sector 33-34 and 44-45 chowks,
along the road connecting Industrial Area Phase 2 and Ram Darbar close to 3
BRD (3 Base Repair Depot). Additional incidents were reported near PGI
chowk, on the road dividing Sector 14 and 7, at the Sector 23 market, in front
of the Bird Park Road, and at the parking lot of Lake Club.

 Residents in Sector 40C, especially in the LIG housing area, faced distress as
rainwater entered a majority of houses, creating difficulties in draining the
muddy water. MS Ravat, the chairman of LIG EWS in Sector 40C, expressed
concerns about the flood situation and voiced dissatisfaction with the
perceived lack of response from the Municipal Corporation's flood control
wing helpline.