Physiographic, Climatic, and Hydrogeological Determinants of Urban Flooding in Bhopal: A Spatial Assessment

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 01 | Page : 25 32
    By

    Mahima Vishwakarma,

  • Dr K. K. Dhote,

  • Neha Pranav Kolhe,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Architecture and Planning, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  2. Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Planning, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Bhopal, capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is uniquely shaped by 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. 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. Research underscores the need for integrated planning strategies that align topography, hydrology, and land use to reduce Bhopal’s flood vulnerability.

Keywords: Bhopal, climatic anomalies, hydrogeology, institutional campuses, nature-based solutions, physiography, stormwater management, urban flooding

[This article belongs to Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management ]

How to cite this article:
Mahima Vishwakarma, Dr K. K. Dhote, Neha Pranav Kolhe. Physiographic, Climatic, and Hydrogeological Determinants of Urban Flooding in Bhopal: A Spatial Assessment. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):25-32.
How to cite this URL:
Mahima Vishwakarma, Dr K. K. Dhote, Neha Pranav Kolhe. Physiographic, Climatic, and Hydrogeological Determinants of Urban Flooding in Bhopal: A Spatial Assessment. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):25-32. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowrem/article=2026/view=236409


References

  1. Agonafir D, Tesfaye T, Abebe M. Study on precipitation parameters and flood-related health impacts. Int J Environ Health Res. 2023;33(4):412-25.
  2. Asian Development Bank. Building Resilience to Climate Change. Manila (Philippines): Asian Development Bank; 2014.
  3. Batica J, Gourbesville P. Flood resilience and adaptation frameworks. Proc Inst Civ Eng Water Manag. 2016;169(5):245-56.
  4. De Smedt F. Analytical solution for fractional well flow in a double-porosity aquifer with fractional transient exchange between matrix and fractures. Water. 2022;14:456. doi:10.3390/w14030456.
  5. Konneh KV, Masrur H, Othman ML, Senjyu T. Performance assessment of a hybrid complementary power system for sustainable electrification: A case study. Sustain Cities Soc. 2022;76:103412. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2021.103412.
  6. Dharmarathne L, Herath S, Weerakoon S. Urbanization trends and increasing risk of urban flooding. Nat Hazards. 2024;121(2):1873-92.
  7. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Flood Management and Resilience Guidelines. Washington (DC): Federal Emergency Management Agency; 2018.
  8. Finlay J, Massey J. Campuses as microcosms of urban transformation. City Community. 2012;11(3):247-68.
  9. Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. Urban Flood Resilience Initiatives. Washington (DC): World Bank; 2017.
  10. Griffiths H, Fenton A, Pearson J. Sea level rise and urban flood vulnerabilities. Clim Risk Manag. 2019;24:100187.
  11. United Nations. Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. Geneva (Switzerland): United Nations; 2007.
  12. Jamali B, Bach P, Cunningham L. Limitations in evaluating the impact of rainwater harvesting on large-scale urban flooding. J Hydrol. 2019;573:251-65.
  13. Kamat V. Causes of flooding from river basins and hydrological changes. Hydrol Sci J. 2019;64(10):1213-26.
  14. Hondula KL, Jones CN, Palmer MA. Effects of seasonal inundation on methane fluxes from forested freshwater wetlands. Environ Res Lett. 2021;16:084016. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac1193.
  15. National Disaster Management Authority. National Disaster Management Guidelines: Management of Urban Flooding. New Delhi (India): Government of India; 2010.
  16. National Research Development Corporation. Urban Disaster Management Guidelines. New Delhi (India): National Research Development Corporation; 2015.
  17. National Institute of Urban Affairs. Urban Flood Impacts and Climate-Induced Weather Events. New Delhi (India): National Institute of Urban Affairs; 2016.
  18. Urban Flood Displacement in Asian Countries. Oxford (UK): Oxfam International; 2019.
  19. Budhathoki S, Rokaya P, Lindenschmidt KE. Impacts of future climate on the hydrology of a transboundary river basin in northeastern North America. J Hydrol. 2022;605:127317. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.127317.
  1. Qin H, Li Z, Fu G. Rainfall parameters influencing urban flooding. J Hydrol. 2013;505:176-87.
  2. Aggarwal R, Pandya J. Parameters of runoff and groundwater percolation in rainwater harvesting. Water Resour Manag. 2013;27(12):4185-202.
  3. SAARC Disaster Management Centre. South Asian Disaster Resilience Guidance. New Delhi (India): SAARC Disaster Management Centre; 2014.
  4. Sharifi A, Yamagata Y. Evolution of resilience across scientific fields. Sustain Sci. 2016;11(5):715-30.
  5. Hu S, Xu Y, Wu L, Wu X, Wang R, Zhang Z, et al. A framework to detect and understand thematic places of a city using geospatial data. Cities. 2021;109:103012. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2020.103012.
  6. Singh R, Kumar S, Gupta P. Urbanization trends and demographic shifts in India. Popul Environ. 2023;44(4):521-39.
  7. Land Use Organisation. Urbanization Trends and Settlement Preferences in Bhopal. Bhopal (India): Land Use Organisation; 2005.
  8. South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People. Urban Flooding Incidents and Rainfall Records in Bhopal. New Delhi (India): South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People; 2016.
  9. Bhering AP, Antunes IMHR, Marques EAG, de Paula RS. Geological and hydrogeological review of a semi-arid region with conflicts to water availability (southeastern Brazil). Environmental Research. 2021 Nov;202:111756. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111756
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 01
Received 19/12/2025
Accepted 23/01/2026
Published 28/01/2026
Publication Time 40 Days
188

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics