Preparing for the monsoon

Rainwater harvesting systems need special attention, and storm-water drains must be examined and quickly cleaned. By S. Vishwanath

May 18, 2018 04:33 pm | Updated 04:33 pm IST

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 3/11/2017: Flooding caused due to incomplete work on stormwater drains at 100 Feet Road in Nanganallur, Chennai.
Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 3/11/2017: Flooding caused due to incomplete work on stormwater drains at 100 Feet Road in Nanganallur, Chennai. Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

The oppressive heat of summer has been punctuated by substantial summer rains this year. This has given us a trailer for the monsoon of 2018 which approaches. The prediction by the Indian Meteorological Department is that this will be a normal monsoon. The advent is also likely to be normal that means it should arrive on the coast of Kerala on June 1.

In many parts of the rural regions preparations are in full swing. Land is being removed of weeds, tilled and kept ready for the sowing which will happen in a month or two depending on the rains.

In urban areas too, it is time to prepare for the rains. Roofs must be made leak proof, cleaned and coated with water proofing if needed. South-west and west facing walls, if exposed to the winds, will also need protection. Chajjas, especially of the box type, will need to be cleaned and leaves and dust accumulated will have to be removed and pipes made ready for the downpour.

If the home or apartment has a well, then this is the time to get it desilted and cleaned. Rainwater harvesting systems need special attention. Joints will have to be examined for glue and it should be made sure that the clamps are fixed properly if they have come off or become loose. Rainwater filters need to be cleaned.

Storm-water drains are to be examined and quickly cleaned. If they are not connected to recharge wells then the recharge wells must be dug quickly and the connections made.

Dealing with basements

Basements are particularly prone to seepage and flooding. Attention must be paid to potential source of leakage and dampness and water proofing done. Pumps must be at the ready with pipes and even diesel-based gensets to throw out accumulated water in a situation with no electricity.

At a city level, storm drains must be cleaned on a war footing. Rajakaluves, major storm drains, should be desilted and the silt removed quickly and not allowed to fall back into the drains. Underpasses, flyovers, and metro lines should check for adequate drainage and pumping arrangements. Flood-prone areas in the city must be identified, information communicated to citizens as to how they are expected to act during heavy rains and arrangements made to manage the floods quickly and effectively.

Trees whose branches are weak, have termite attacks and are likely to fall must be identified with the help of experts and pruned properly.

The rains of India are in general spread over 30 to 60 days, except for the coastal areas where it can rain for up to 150 days. The number of hours of rain is just 100 on the mainland. If we are prepared to receive, manage, store and recharge the rains we will have achieved water resilience and sustainability. That would be water and monsoon wisdom.

zenrainman@gmail.com

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