Managing the rivers

Delhi floods show need for investment and preparation

The recent flooding in Delhi deserves careful investigation. Areas that had never before been flooded — even during periods of considerably heavier rainfall than has been the case this year — saw extensive property damage due to waterlogging. How did this come about? The government of Delhi has blamed the government of the neighbouring state of Haryana, and there appears to be some justification in this complaint. The Hathnikund barrage on the Yamuna, the upstream of where it flows through Delhi, is controlled by the Haryana government, and the decision was taken to release 350,000 cusecs of water after heavy