5.1. Historical Context of Floods

Here is a transcript of our discussions with the community we develop the map first and then we put the data into it. (Refer Slide Time: 07:00) And here is the level of people different kind of stakeholders starting from our GCOE that is global centre of excellence, human security engineering of Kyoto university team and Local community members and municipal corporations Greater Mumbai especially the involvement of the G-North wards, like we help them in mapping and I say, we also work as the surveyors, and explaining and introducing community the role and objective of the survey.

This chunk discusses the collaborative effort put in by various stakeholders in creating a map for flood risks. Here, the local community members are essential participants, working together with experts from the Global Centre of Excellence (GCOE) at Kyoto University and municipal corporations. Mapping is important for understanding flood risks, and the community’s involvement ensures that the data reflects their real experiences and needs.

Think of it like a neighborhood clean-up event. When residents come together to clean parks and streets, they not only improve their environment but also understand what the community needs. Similarly, in mapping floods, locals contribute their knowledge of the area, helping to create a more accurate and useful map for everyone.

Local community was the key Informant one of the main actor in this process and MCGM or Municipal Corporations also helped us providing logistics support, helping in building rapport with the people, facilitative say religious and political organizations. (Refer Slide Time: 07:55)

The local community acts as a crucial source of information in understanding the flood context. In collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), they received logistical support that facilitated connections with other important groups, including religious and political organizations. This cooperation is vital as it allows for a more integrated approach to flood management that takes into account various community needs and opinions.

Imagine you want to organize a big party but need help getting people to attend. You might reach out to friends (like the local community) for ideas on who to invite and ask a community center (like MCGM) for space and resources. The combined efforts ensure that the party is successful and enjoyable for everyone, just as the collaboration helps in managing flood risks effectively.

We collected a lot of data there starting from land-use data, residential, commercial, public, playground, infrastructure what are the infrastructures are there, Doctors clinic, community toilet, community taps, school. (Refer Slide Time: 08:10)

This chunk highlights the kinds of data collected during the mapping process. The focus is on different land uses such as residential, commercial, and public spaces, alongside essential infrastructural elements like clinics, toilets, taps, and schools. This information helps in assessing how prepared different areas are for potential flooding and where interventions may be needed.

Think of it as creating a detailed inventory of a classroom. A teacher noting down where each desk is, what supplies are available, or where the windows are located allows for better planning when rearranging the space. Similarly, knowing the use of land and its infrastructure helps to plan for flood management.

Hazard parameters we considered, flood duration, water level during the flood, areas frequently affected, building height, building materials, building conditions, plinth level these all we collected. (Refer Slide Time: 08:26)

In assessing flood risks, various hazard parameters are evaluated, including flood duration—the length of time an area is underwater—and the water level during those floods. Other critical factors include the frequency of flooding in certain areas, the height and materials of buildings, their condition, and the level of the ground (plinth level). Understanding these factors is crucial to predicting and mitigating the impacts of flooding.

Consider studying different types of cars before a race. You’d examine their speed (flood duration) and how they handle turns on the track (water level), as well as the cars’ build (building materials and conditions). This information helps you decide which car is most suitable for the race, much like assessing buildings helps decide which areas are at risk during floods.

Now here are some of the facts that in 2006 after 2006 lot of residential areas this is actually a road this is one of the fraction of the Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, many are transferred into commercial areas. (Refer Slide Time: 08:43)

Post-2006, many residential areas, like those in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, transformed into commercial areas. This change often leads to more congestion and may affect how flooding occurs since commercial spaces can have different infrastructure needs compared to residential areas. Understanding these changes is important for effective flood management.

Think of a neighborhood that used to have mostly homes but now has a lot of shops and restaurants. With more traffic and people, the streets might become more crowded, and flooding could have a bigger impact on businesses than on homes. This change necessitates a new approach to managing potential flooding issues.

People started to build G+1 structure in though this is not allowed, but community allowed that community reported that many people are now constructing G+1 structure in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar okay. (Refer Slide Time: 09:05)

Many community members in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar have begun constructing G+1 (ground plus one) buildings despite regulations prohibiting such practices. This can impact the overall flood risk as these structures may not be designed to withstand flooding effectively. Awareness and compliance with building regulations are vital for minimizing flood-related damages.

Picture a school that doesn't allow two-story buildings for safety reasons, but some parents decide to build one anyway. While it might seem like a good idea for more space, if a flood occurs, the building might not be safe. This parallel emphasizes the importance of following rules in construction to ensure safety during floods.

And it could be pucca or semi pucca concrete structure, their infrastructures were not grooved, you can see the drainage quality here. (Refer Slide Time: 09:14)

The quality of infrastructure in these areas varies, with many structures being pucca (permanent) or semi-pucca (partially constructed with solid materials). However, inadequate drainage systems can lead to severe flooding issues, as water cannot drain efficiently. This highlights the need for improved infrastructural designs to manage floodwater effectively.

Think of a bathtub without a drain. When you fill it up, it doesn’t empty out easily, and water spills over if it gets too full. Similarly, if the drainage in a neighborhood is poor, floodwaters can accumulate, causing damage to homes and roads.

Also the electricity supply; it can easily electrified, and current can kill people during emergency or flood inundations. (Refer Slide Time: 09:21)

The electrical infrastructure poses significant risks during floods, as water exposure can electrify supply lines. This dangerous situation can lead to fatal accidents during emergencies when swift action is needed. Ensuring safe and safe electricity supply is crucial to protect residents during floods.

Imagine using a phone charger in the rain. If the charger gets wet, it could give you a shock. This highlights how electricity and water don’t mix, just as homes need safe electrical systems during floods to avoid dangerous situations.

Access roads are very narrow; you cannot evacuate, two people cannot pass easily from this one. (Refer Slide Time: 09:30) And the roads are zig-zagged, so when these roads are filled by water and then during the flood or inundations that you cannot step in we do not know where you are putting your leg okay. (Refer Slide Time: 09:45)

Narrow access roads complicate evacuation efforts during floods. If two people cannot pass easily, it creates a bottleneck during emergencies. Additionally, zig-zagged pathways can make navigating floodwaters especially hazardous, as people cannot see where to step, increasing the risk of accidents.

Imagine trying to escape through a packed narrow hallway during a fire drill. If the exits are blocked or the paths are not clear, it becomes difficult and dangerous to evacuate quickly. This emphasizes how clear and safe evacuation routes are important for saving lives during a flood.

So in 2005 it was a Mithi river, and this is the road, and the flood came like this okay gradually and then it was around 8. (Refer Slide Time: 09:59) So people could not evacuate during 2005 one reason that there was no designated place there was no early warning and the head of the household was not at house. So the woman cannot take the leadership decision to go to other places or it was sometimes too late when they decided to evacuate entire area, surrounding areas were inundated with water, and they have also the loss fear of losing property or looting kind of questions. And people do not know where to evacuate how to evacuate these reasons that they could not really evacuate. (Refer Slide Time: 10:44)

During the 2005 floods, many people were unable to evacuate because there was no proper early warning system in place, and the head of the household was often away. This situation led to a lack of leadership within families, particularly as women found it challenging to make evacuation decisions. Additionally, fear of losing property or being looted added to the reluctance to evacuate, illustrating the complexities around emergency responses in such situations.

Picture a family where the parents are out of town during a storm. In their absence, the children find it hard to decide what to do, especially if they fear losing their belongings. This mirrors the challenges families face during floods when the decision-makers are not present, emphasizing the need for community support and clear communication during emergencies.

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