What’s drowning our cities and how to stop it

One heavy downpour—and cities like Bengaluru come to a standstill. Streets flood, traffic halts, and chaos takes over. This isn’t just bad luck. It’s the result of poor urban planning, clogged drains, and a lack of foresight. But India wasn’t always like this.

India’s Ancient Drainage Genius

Over 4,000 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization had an advanced drainage system. In cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Dholavira, brick-lined, covered drains ran beneath streets. Every home had a soak pit, and stormwater was managed smartly—even without machines. It was sustainable, efficient, and way ahead of its time.

Rome’s Timeless Sewer

Meanwhile, in ancient Rome, engineers built the Cloaca Maxima—a sewer system that drained marshes into the Tiber River using gravity and stone arches. It was massive, reliable, and parts of it still function today. That’s timeless infrastructure.

Tokyo’s Underground Fortress

Fast forward to today—Tokyo is leading the way. The G-Cans project is the largest underground drain system in the world. This “water temple” includes 50-meter-deep silos and jet engine-like pumps that protect 13 million people from typhoon floods.

Amsterdam: Below Sea, Above Crisis

Amsterdam sits below sea level—but rarely floods. Why? It uses 100 km of canals, sluice gates, smart pumps, and sensors to control water levels with precision. Water is not a threat here; it’s a managed resource.

Singapore: Drains That Breathe

Singapore blends beauty with function. Drains double as parks. Rain gardens, bio-swales, and AI-powered sensors clean water and control flooding—all part of the ABC Waters Program: Active, Beautiful, Clean.

Learn From the Past, Plan for the Future

India has the brains and history. From the genius of Mohenjo-Daro to the tech of Singapore, the solutions are clear. We must blend ancient wisdom with modern science to make our cities flood-resilient and climate-ready.