Japan International Cooperation Agency Hosts Seminar in Chennai to Strengthen Urban Flood Control Measures in India

Chennai, 21 August 2024: To address urban floods, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized a comprehensive knowledge-sharing seminar on 21st August 2024 in Chennai with support from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and authorities in Tamil Nadu State as a part of the project “Project for Formulation of Comprehensive Flood Control Master Plan in Urbanised River Basins in Chennai”. The seminar served as a platform for discussing strategies and sharing practices towards mitigating the severe flood risks across India.

Chennai constantly faces severe flood challenges, notably in 2015 and December 2023. JICA has been supporting to establish a comprehensive flood control master plan for four major basins in Chennai (Kovalam, Adyar, Cooum, and Kosasthalaiyar) since February 2022. Owing to the task force comprising of Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency (TNDRRA), Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Tamil Nadu State Water Resources Department (TNWRD) and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), extensive consultations with local authorities have been made for the development of the master plan. This outcome will be finalized this December and reflected on the third master plan for CMA (2027 - 2046) under the preparation by CMDA.

During the seminar, participants engaged in detailed discussions on the formulation of a comprehensive flood control master plan for Chennai, and urban flood challenges, measures in Indian cities and Japan's extensive experience in flood control. The seminar was filled by key representatives from various disaster management and urban development organizations across India, including stakeholders in Tamil Nadu, NDMA, Assam State, Gujarat State, Maharashtra State, including Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) and Telangana State. Further, the representatives from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, KfW attended for enhancing donor collaboration in the future implementation of the master plan. Japanese companies such as Funayama Co., Ltd., Ishigaki Co., Ltd., KUBOTA Corporation, Padeco Co., Ltd., exhibited their service and the products for flood management and rescue at the venue.

Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India stated “The development of a comprehensive flood control master plan serves as a blueprint for enhancing Chennai City’s resilience against climate change . Chennai’s master plan can be a showcase for other Indian cities . The seminar has provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to exchange knowledge including Japan's expertise in flood management. JICA is ready to provide further support for implementing the infrastructure development in Chennai’s master plan and enhance collaboration among stakeholders including donors. Our commitment to this project underscores JICA's broader mission to contribute to sustainable urban development across India, ensuring that cities are more resilient to the growing disaster risks escalated by climate change".

The comprehensive flood control master plan for Chennai includes both fluvial and pluvial floods, hard and soft measures to manage comprehensively and will provide a roadmap for aligning flood control efforts across the Chennai basins. This plan is expected to set a precedent for other Indian cities. JICA is committed to support Chennai’s flood management aiming at making Chennai safer gradually and effectively.