Netherlands’ ‘Room for the River’ project 23/05/2019 – Posted in: Daily News

NETHERLANDS’ ‘ROOM FOR THE RIVER’ PROJECT

 

For: Preliminary & Mains
Topic covers: Project’s details, advantages, features, significance

 

News Flash

The flagship project of the Dutch government is centered around protecting areas adjoining rivers from routine flooding and improving water management systems in delta regions.

Recently, Kerala Chief Minister had made a visit to see the site of the ‘Room for the River’ project in the Netherlands.

 

Rebuild Kerala Plan

  • Kerala CM wants to incorporate the model in the state’s ‘Rebuild Kerala’ plan.

(Last year, Kerala had witnessed the century’s worst floods, which claimed nearly 500 lives and wiped out thousands of homes.)

 

Netherlands’ need for Project

  • The Netherlands has historically been prone to flooding of rivers due to its low elevation.
  • Much of the country lies below the sea level.
  • The country is located in the delta region of several major rivers like the Rhine, the Meuse and the Scheldt.
  • In fact, the rise of water levels in the sea and rivers due to the effects of climate change is one of the major challenges facing the Dutch.
  • But over the years, the country’s expert water management techniques and creation of independent local government bodies for flood control have borne praise across the world.

 

‘Room for the River’ project

  • The basic premise of the ‘Room for the River’ project is essentially to provide more space for the water body so that it can manage extraordinary high water levels during floods.
  • The landscapes are altered in a way that they turn into natural sponges which can accommodate excess water during floods.
  • Project also improve the surroundings of the river banks through fountains and panoramic decks.

Measures:

  1. Lowering the flood plain
  2. Deepening the summer bed
  3. Strengthening of dykes
  4. Relocation of dykes
  5. Reducing the height of the groynes
  6. Increasing the depth of the side channels
  7. Removing obstacles.

 

Conclusion

The government in Kerala believes the project and its foundational ideals can be replicated in Kuttanad, the state’s rice bowl located below the sea-level.

In the floods last year, Kuttanad and adjoining regions in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts remained submerged for weeks.

 

Way forward

Since the major rivers in the state empty out into Kuttanad, there’s a need for long-term comprehensive solutions on the lines of the Dutch project to prevent flooding in the region.

 

Source: Indian Express