07/03/16
A simple solution to the old problem of floods
If you are unable to listen to this audio, please update your browser or go here to download[6.4MB]
Floods and drought are often two sides of the same coin. In certain places, they damage soil, water systems and ecosystems in repeating cycles that exacerbate each other’s impact.
When flooding occurs, it is traditional to divert water away from inundated floodplains to protect people and reduce damage to homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure. But by then, it is often already too late — and the following year the story will repeat itself.
To combat this, hydrogeologist Paul Pavelic worked with his team at the International Water Management Institute to design and trial a new system that protects communities in flood-prone areas before disaster strikes. In this interview, he talks about the concept and reveals early results from testing the technology in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.