Angry citizens want a long term solution to prevent losses and are ready to live with floods if destruction is prevented.
SURAT: Surat the diamond capital of the country has been facing huge losses due to frequent floods in the last ten years. Ukai dam built on the Tapti River has not helped Surat much. Angry citizens want a long term solution to prevent losses and are even ready to live with floods if large-scale destruction is prevented.
Experts say that after the experiences of 1994, 1998, 2004 and now 2006, floods are almost inevitable. “We should learn to live with floods. The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) should prepare a flood map of the city and citizens should be warned when water level in Tapti increases,” says Professor Mahesh Desai, a city based engineer.
Interestingly, SMC does have a detailed disaster management plan. However, the plan has remained largely on paper, and was of no help during the recent floods. “We had advised SMC seven years back to prepare a detailed flood map of the city but nothing has been done. We are planning to file a public interest litigation regarding the safety of citizens during floods,” said Desai.
Experts are also of the opinion that a better flood management system needs to be developed. “Apart from preparing a flood map, better coordination among different departments is also important. Proper release mechanism of Ukai waters should be developed and the city administration should be informed,” said N C Mistry, head of civil department in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Institute of Technology.
According to R D Desai, former director of planning, SMC, “The water carrying capacity of Tapti has been reduced due to large scale silting. Thirty years back, it could carry more than 5 lakh cusecs of water. Today, it has been reduced to 3 lakh cusecs. As a result, when more water is released from Ukai dam, it enters the city, leading to floods.”
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