Our cities and towns have been allowed to grow into urban nightmares (Editorial – “ >Return of the great deluge ”, Aug.1). In Chennai, after last year’s deluge and flooding, experts painted a dismal picture of our state of flood preparedness, mitigation and control. Can we at least not learn from a small country like the Netherlands which has a unique “Room for the River” programme?
Using techniques such as lowering the flood plain, deepening the summer bed, and having a high water channel, key rivers are given more space to ensure safety. The programme even has its own engineering director.
V. Nagarajan,
Chennai
The way rain and floods have crippled many parts of India is because we are not paying any attention to planning and development. Flooding will occur as we are in the habit of concretising every bit of urban space in the name of beautification. There is absolutely no space for water seepage. An average of 40 mm of rain cannot bring a city to a halt if we pay attention to natural laws.
V. Bhavani Shankar,
Chennai
