Ahmedabad is grappling with severe flooding following a relentless 40-hour downpour, which has exposed the city’s aging infrastructure and flawed flood management strategies.
Key areas in eastern Ahmedabad, including Hatkeshwar, experienced significant waterlogging on Monday and Tuesday, underlining the persistent vulnerabilities in the city’s drainage and pumping systems. Despite substantial investments aimed at mitigating flooding, including ₹25 crore allocated for stormwater management and desilting efforts, many areas remain problematic. For instance, Rajpath Rangoli Road in Bodakdev continues to suffer from inundation. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has previously invested ₹40 crore in flood control measures, including the acquisition of ten Varun dewatering pumps for ₹8.55 crore. However, these efforts have not fully resolved the issues. High-capacity pumps installed at the Vasna sewage treatment plant (STP) are struggling to keep pace with increased water flow due to outdated infrastructure.
The city’s ageing infrastructure compounds the problem. A 2200mm diameter pipeline installed two decades ago by Auda, which channels water to the Vasna STP, is now inadequate for current demands. The obsolete pumps at the STP further hinder effective water drainage. In response to the ongoing crisis, AMC has deployed 25 powerful vehicle-mounted dewatering pumps across various affected areas, including Vatva’s Vadia Talav, Ghodasar’s Daxini Society, and Odhav GIDC, among others.
The recent heavy rains have starkly highlighted Ahmedabad’s infrastructural shortcomings and the urgent need for an overhaul in flood management strategies. Despite considerable financial outlay and efforts to upgrade flood control systems, the city’s ageing infrastructure continues to fall short of effectively managing the challenges posed by intense rainfall. The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive review and upgrade of the city’s flood management infrastructure to prevent future crises and improve resilience against similar emergencies.
