Saturday, September 10, 2022

A Lesson for Bangalore Airport.

How Kochi airport managed to avoid flooding  through its corrective steps under 'Operation Pravaah', a lesson for Bangalore.

What Bangalore airport faced a few days ago due to heavy rain was similar to the situation at Kochi during the 2018 flood, the major reason being the narrow canal at the southern airport boundary. The airport had to be shut for an unprecedented 15 days. The water from Chengal canal entered the airport compound, inundating the runway.

As a solution, an eight-metre wide and 3.5 km-long diversional canal was constructed to carry the excess water from Chengal canal to Kuzhipallam. Further, the depth and width of  the canal were increased by splitting  it into seven different reaches, enhancing its carrying capacity. The airport completed 26 different flood mitigation projects worth Rs.130 crores over three years in Oct 2021.

Thanks to the flood mitigation work, the heavy rain this year did not affect the airport much. "Kochi airport's premises witnessed only minor waterlogging on 09 Aug. The water was pumped out to the adjacent canal within one hour, without disrupting airport operations. It has a dynamic surveillance system with a centralised database based on the latest readings from the gauge stations in river basins and water released from reservoirs is evaluated. A gauge set up at Kalady saw the rise in water level up to 7.8 mts.

Water levels in three major canals around the airport's premises are noted. Pumping apparatus and nine gauges have been set up at the airport premises. Based on the readings, the valves are operated to avoid flooding.

CIAL also prioritised infrastructure development in nearby areas such as construction of bridges and approach roads. Old culverts were replaced and four bridges were constructed at Chethikkad, AP Varkey Road, Kuzhipallam and Thuravunkara. The measures helped in the easy flow of water even during heavy rain, leaving the airport a flood-free zone.

Bangalore airport, take note!

Courtesy. Aishwarya Prabhakaran in the NIE

My take

Studying problem areas to thwart the tricky areas is a professional approach towards solving them.


Tailpiece.

Got up at around a half past 4 to ease my bladder but sleep wasn't kind. So, recited my prayers and rechecked my blog of yesterday. Turned off to sleep  soon after.

Washing machinex of the soiled clothes and to reduce the washing load on the maid.

Went across to Dr (Mrs) Sodhi to have our lungs for the prolonged, though subdued, cough. Lekha's was more or less okay but mine did have. Put us on medicines for the next 5 days.

A quiet day.

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