India: What fuelled this year's flood fury in Pune?
By Shatakshi Gawade
Pune, which had not seen floods in years, was hit twice by the disaster in 2019. First in early August and then in September; the latter was rather destructive. On September 25, parts of the metropolis were inundated after receiving 87.3 mm rainfall; at least 17 people were killed.
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On comparing Survey of India maps, of the scale 1:25,000, with satellite images, he found that the built-up area had increased to 47 per cent in 2015 from 37 per cent in 1991. Streams existed till 1999, then they started disappearing. Water bodies reduced to 0.24 per cent in 2015 from 0.75 per cent in 1991.
From his observation and study, he noted,
- Unauthorised and unplanned constructions, most of them near the stream.
- Diversion of streams
- Deposition of construction debris in streams
- No proper sewage system and waste being pumped into water bodies
- Increased runoff owing to cement and concrete roads
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This year India recorded second-highest September rainfall. Monsoon rainfall during September 2019 was 152 per cent of its Long Period Average after 1917’s 165 per cent, according to India Meteorological Department records.
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