4.-Impact of urban developments along panvel creek on the flood levels

Abstract

The flow in the tidal reach of the river is governed by the tide levels at the mouth of river creek, the upland flood discharge and the topography of the river reach. Any topographical changes in the tidal flats and flood plains along the river banks will result in changes in the water levels along the river reach. As a part of urbanisation project around Navi Mumbai, the City and Industrial Developement Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) is developing townships on the land reclaimed on tidal flats along rivers discharging into Panvel creek. The commercial and residential nodes are being developed alongwith the infrastructural development such as roads, railways, bridges and storm water drainage. The mathematical model studies were carried out at CWPRS to assess the rise in flood levels due to reclamations along the different river channels of the Panvel creek river network. The appropriate tide and flood hydrographs were considered as boundary conditions. The mathematical model was first validated for observed floods under existing conditions and then applied for further predictions with reclamation. Based on predicted flood levels, the levels for reclamation and for storm water drainage channel outfalls into creek were proposed.