Mahima Vishwakarma,
Dr K. K. Dhote,
Abstract
Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is uniquely shaped by its hilly terrain, lake systems, and complex hydrogeological characteristics, which historically supported efficient natural drainage. However, rapid urbanization, encroachment, and alterations in land use have increasingly disrupted these natural systems, amplifying the city’s susceptibility to urban flooding. The city’s physiography—defined by five major hills, undulating slopes, and a network of natural drainage channels—directs runoff toward low-lying zones that frequently experience waterlogging during intense rainfall events. Climatic variations, including rising precipitation anomalies and erratic monsoon patterns, further aggravate the situation. Geological factors, such as basaltic formations and limited infiltration capacity in certain regions, influence both runoff behavior and groundwater recharge. This study evaluates these interconnected physical determinants to understand the spatial distribution and causes of urban flooding in Bhopal. Additionally, it highlights the strategic potential of institutional campuses—due to their permeable open spaces and micro-catchment positioning—in mitigating stormwater impacts. By analyzing representative campuses and their runoff behavior, the study emphasizes the importance of decentralized, nature-based interventions for enhancing resilience. Overall, the research underscores the need for integrated planning strategies that align topography, hydrology, and land use to reduce Bhopal’s flood vulnerability.
Keywords: Urban flooding, Physiography, Hydrogeology, Bhopal, Climatic anomalies, Stormwater management, Institutional campuses, Nature-based solutions
Mahima Vishwakarma, Dr K. K. Dhote. Physiographic, Climatic, and Hydrogeological Determinants of Urban Flooding in Bhopal: A Spatial Assessment. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):-.
Mahima Vishwakarma, Dr K. K. Dhote. Physiographic, Climatic, and Hydrogeological Determinants of Urban Flooding in Bhopal: A Spatial Assessment. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowrem/article=2026/view=236409
References
- Agonafir D, Tesfaye T, Abebe M. Study on precipitation parameters and flood-related health impacts. Int J Environ Health Res. 2023;33(4):412–425.
- Asian Development Bank. Building resilience to climate change. Manila: Asian Development Bank; 2014.
- Batica J, Gourbesville P. Flood resilience and adaptation frameworks. Proc Inst Civ Eng Water Manag. 2016;169(5):245–256.
- Cea L, Costabile P. Urban flooding trends in India. Water. 2022;14(3):456.
- Dehghani M, Alizadeh S, Maleki A. Sustainability and resilience in planning and policy. Sustain Cities Soc. 2022;76:103412.
- Dharmarathne L, Herath S, Weerakoon S. Urbanization trends and increasing risk of urban flooding. Nat Hazards. 2024;121(2):1873–1892.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood management and resilience guidelines. Washington (DC): FEMA; 2018.
- Finlay J, Massey J. Campuses as microcosms of urban transformation. City Community. 2012;11(3):247–268.
- Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). Urban flood resilience initiatives. Washington (DC): World Bank; 2017.
- Griffiths H, Fenton A, Pearson J. Sea level rise and urban flood vulnerabilities. Clim Risk Manag. 2019;24:100187.
- United Nations. Hyogo framework for action 2005–2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. Geneva: United Nations; 2007.
- Jamali B, Bach P, Cunningham L. Limitations in evaluating the impact of rainwater harvesting on large-scale urban flooding. J Hydrol. 2019;573:251–265.
- Kamat V. Causes of flooding from river basins and hydrological changes. Hydrol Sci J. 2019;64(10):1213–1226.
- Moulds S, Buytaert W, Mijic A. Socio-economic impacts of urban flooding and displacement. Environ Res Lett. 2021;16(8):084016.
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). National disaster management guidelines: Management of urban flooding. New Delhi: Government of India; 2010.
- National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). Urban disaster management guidelines. New Delhi: NRDC; 2015.
- National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). Urban flood impacts and climate-induced weather events. New Delhi: NIUA; 2016.
- Oxfam. Urban flood displacement in Asian countries. Oxford: Oxfam International; 2019.
- Palla A, Gnecco I. Effectiveness of rainwater harvesting systems in U.S. cities. J Hydrol. 2022;605:127317.
- Prashar R, Shaw R, Takeuchi Y. 4R resilience framework: robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, and rapidity. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2023;86:103564.
- Qin H, Li Z, Fu G. Rainfall parameters influencing urban flooding. J Hydrol. 2013;505:176–187.
- Aggarwal R, Pandya J. Parameters of runoff and groundwater percolation in rainwater harvesting. Water Resour Manag. 2013;27(12):4185–4202.
- SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC). South Asian disaster resilience guidance. New Delhi: SDMC; 2014.
- Sharifi A, Yamagata Y. Evolution of resilience across scientific fields. Sustain Sci. 2016;11(5):715–730.
- Singh R, Pandey A, Joshi P. Urban population projections and expansion in India. Cities. 2021;109:103012.
- Singh R, Kumar S, Gupta P. Urbanization trends and demographic shifts in India. Popul Environ. 2023;44(4):521–539.
- LU-Bhopal2005. Urbanization trends and settlement preferences in Bhopal. Bhopal: Land Use Organisation; n.d.
- South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP). Urban flooding incidents and rainfall records in Bhopal. New Delhi: SANDRP; 2016.
- Geological, hydrogeological, and climatic data extracted from district-level environmental and planning records presented in the attached research document.
Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
| Volume | 13 |
| 01 | |
| Received | 19/12/2025 |
| Accepted | 23/01/2026 |
| Published | 28/01/2026 |
| Publication Time | 40 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics