4. Action Plan Development

We found that in 1980 it was a mangrove area totally on Mithi river... It was not a very old settlement as such.

In the early stages of the project, community members shared their concerns regarding flooding and how local government actions, like elevating roads, inadvertently made homes more vulnerable to water damage. Historical data showed that areas previously filled with mangroves had seen increased settlement, primarily by construction workers. Over the decades, more temporary houses emerged, altering the landscape significantly by the early 2000s.

Imagine a small village that used to be surrounded by a forest. Over the years, as the forest was cleared for housing, the area became more prone to flooding. The community may feel excited about the new houses, but without the natural protection of the trees, they might find themselves facing worse flooding than before.

In 2005, the flood level... these areas were around six to ten feet of water.

The flooding experienced in 2005 was severe, with water levels reaching up to ten feet in some areas, significantly impacting homes close to rivers. This flooding resulted in considerable damage, especially for households near Mahim Creek and the Mithi River. The damage was so extensive that some families lost everything, including their belongings.

Consider a neighborhood that experiences a hurricane. The houses closest to the sea are washed away, while those a bit inland suffer only minor damage. The community often recalls the devastation, understanding that their safety depends on better planning and preparation.

After we finish this exercise... we started to develop an action plan for reconstruction.

Community feedback was essential in creating an effective action plan. After assessing their experiences, the project team shifted focus from merely sharing information to developing actionable strategies for dealing with future floods. This involved identifying specific roles for volunteers, necessary training, and immediate tasks such as gathering critical documents during evacuations.

Think of a school preparing for fire drills. Rather than just discussing the importance of fire safety, the teacher involves students in creating an emergency plan, assigning them roles like monitors, runners, or helpers. This involvement ensures students not only understand the plan but feel empowered to execute it during an actual emergency.

We actually listed down the actions for rescue operations... ensuring that nobody is throwing waste in gutters.

A detailed action plan was crafted listing out specific tasks both for individual community members and larger organizations or agencies. Actions included calling for volunteer assistance during emergencies, conducting maintenance, and ensuring local infrastructure is clear of waste to prevent flooding. This dual approach encouraged participation while ensuring preparedness.

It's like organizing a neighborhood watch program. Each family can take on different responsibilities, such as monitoring streetlights or reporting maintenance issues. By dividing tasks amongst families, the neighborhood works together more effectively to keep everyone safe.

They also develop many community committees like Core action community, Chawl committees...

To enhance effectiveness, various committees were formed within the community to address specific needs and functions. These groups included volunteers and stakeholders like municipal corporations and NGOs, focusing on flood risk management through shared responsibilities and resources.

Picture a sports team where each player has a different position, such as forward, defender, or goalie. Each player works together to ensure the whole team performs well. Similarly, community committees allow residents to specialize in different areas of flood management, leading to a unified and strengthened approach.

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