Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Haryana government has directed the Gurugram administration to prepare a comprehensive flood management plan by December 31, 2026, following recurring waterlogging and drainage problems in the city. The state has also ordered an assessment of the existing drainage network, identification of flood-prone locations and measures to address the underlying causes of urban flooding.
Dr Sumita Misra, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, said the Gurugram Deputy Commissioner had been asked to personally monitor the implementation of flood prevention measures. The administration must also improve coordination among civic bodies, development authorities, engineering departments and the police.
The directions follow a high-level meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss ways to address Gurugram’s recurring flood problems. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management and attended by senior officials.
Haryana Orders Identification Of Gurugram Flood Hotspots
The state government has asked officials to identify specific locations that are vulnerable to flooding and investigate the reasons behind water accumulation. The assessment will cover issues such as blocked drains and shortcomings in the design of the city’s stormwater drainage system.
The proposed strategy must go beyond removing water from flooded roads. Officials have been instructed to examine the root causes of waterlogging and develop long-term solutions, including better rainwater management.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has directed the administration to prepare a city action plan for urban flood management, with clearly defined targets, milestones and time-bound measures. The December 31 deadline will apply to the preparation of this comprehensive plan.
Gurugram To Study Hyderabad’s Flood Management Model
The Haryana government has also asked officials to examine whether Hyderabad’s flood management model can be adapted for Gurugram.
The proposed assessment will consider the possibility of establishing a central control room and connecting lakes and other water bodies to strengthen urban flood management. The district administration will evaluate whether these measures are practical for Gurugram’s local conditions.
The government has also sought technical assistance from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to study the causes of urban flooding and recommend workable solutions.
State Disaster Mitigation Fund May Be Used For Flood Projects
Funding for flood prevention projects is another focus of the government’s directions. The district administration has been asked to explore the use of the State Disaster Mitigation Fund for eligible projects.
Officials will have to submit proposals to the state government for approval in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
The administration has also been directed to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the monsoon season. These procedures will focus on reducing the impact of flooding and preventing traffic congestion during heavy rainfall.
The Director General of Police has been asked to instruct the concerned authorities to prepare the SOPs and provide the necessary support for their implementation.
Multiple Agencies Asked To Coordinate On Flood Management
The Gurugram Deputy Commissioner will be responsible for coordinating the work of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), Haryana Urban Development Authority, Public Health Engineering Department, Irrigation and Water Resources Department and other agencies.
The Gurugram Divisional Commissioner and GMDA Chief Executive Officer have also been directed to ensure coordination among the departments involved.
The government has further asked the district administration to map critical infrastructure and emergency resources using a Geographic Information System (GIS). This is intended to help officials locate essential resources quickly during emergencies.
SACHET App And Disaster Response Preparedness
Dr Misra said the administration should encourage residents to use the SACHET application so that disaster-related alerts can reach people quickly.
The government has also called for strengthening the Civil Defence system through adequate staffing, equipment and training. Trained volunteers, including members of the Aapda Mitra and Yuva Aapda Mitra programmes, will be involved in emergency preparedness.
The directions cover seven broad areas, including identifying the causes of flooding, managing water bodies, arranging funds for mitigation projects, technical planning and improving emergency response systems. The state government has asked the Gurugram administration to bring these measures together in its city action plan by December 31, 2026.
