Aug-Sep 2026: Mandakini Flood Disaster in Chitrakoot

September 4, 2026September 4, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Screengrab of drone video capturing severe flood spell in Mandakini river in Chitrakoot town, Satna on Aug. 29, 2026. Source: Hindustan Samachar)

The Mandakini (Paisuni) river has witnessed a major flood event in the pilgrimage town spread across Satna and Chitrakoot districts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh during August 28-30, 2026. The deluge was triggered after prolonged heavy rainfall in the upper hilly catchment of river, which broke records set 23 years ago. The flood spell has killed two people and left one missing in addition to causing widespread damage to public and private properties.

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Dams · River Front Development · Urban Rivers

Unravelling Pune River Front Development: The Five Questions

September 4, 2026September 4, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

The Pune Riverfront Development – designed by HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd. is the same company behind projects like Central Vista and Sabarmati River Front. The riverfront development in Pune is claimed to be a “copy paste” of that from Sabarmati River – a river basin with completely different landscape and conditions than the Mula -Mutha Basin. Experts and researchers flag various faults with this riverfront development. Here’s what architect and river front researcher Sarang Yadwadkar has to say about this particular project from an urban planning lens through his presentation. In this presentation he connects the project DPR, correspondence with and amongst departments, government reports, and government circulars. He connects these to flag the discrepancies in the project which highlights the violation of guidelines and how the rights of citizens to be free from adverse impacts of climate change are violated.

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Floodplain · Floods · Urban Rivers · Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan Aug 2026: Floodplains remain under threat

August 13, 2026August 13, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Map showing the temporal changes in the Yamuna river courses for years 1990, 2007, 2014 and maximum possible/ visible extents of the associated floodplains for years 1807, 1952, 1980, 1990, 2007 and 2014; digitized from the toposheets compiled from Survey of India, IRS 1C LISS III imageries and Google Earth images. Credit: Constriction of the Yamuna River Floodplains within Delhi Region since 19th Century: A Serious Concern)

Three recent studies have once again highlighted both the severe degradation of the Yamuna and the critical role of its floodplain in Delhi. Their findings make it clear that cleaning sewage alone will not revive the river. Protecting natural flows, restoring floodplain connectivity and conserving wetlands are equally important for reducing flood risk, recharging groundwater and sustaining the river’s ecology. Undoubtedly, the Yamuna floodplain has already suffered extensive encroachment, fragmentation and ecological damage due to weak governance.

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Floods · Urban Rivers

Corruption in flood-lines regulation in Pune

August 11, 2026 SANDRP2 Comments

In this Photo Blog, we narrate some recent history in flood-lines regulation in Pune that shows how the disasters – including in ongoing 2026 monsoon- are the result of corrupt, non-transparent, unaccountable governance.

The rivers in Maharashtra are seasonal rivers and have their cycles of shrinking and blooming. During dry seasons they shrink and they bloom during monsoon. For instance, the Mutha River in Pune City is one of such river.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Urban Rivers

DRP 270726: Urban Rivers Need Ecological Restoration, Not Concrete, Cosmetic Fixes

July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Vrishabhavathi river in Bengaluru. Credit: Deccan Herald)

Despite sustaining cities with water supply, groundwater recharge, flood moderation, biodiversity, livelihoods and cultural services, India’s urban rivers continue to deteriorate, as highlighted by several reports this week. The Yamuna in Delhi remains the starkest example – ecologically dead across long stretches due to unchecked sewage inflows, shrinking flows and relentless floodplain encroachment. Similar stories are unfolding across the country, with Mumbai’s Mithi, Hyderabad’s Musi, Chennai’s Cooum, Bengaluru’s Vrishabhavathi, Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati, Vadodara’s Vishwamitri, Jaipur’s Dravyawati, Nasik’s Godvarai, Pune’s Mula-Mutha amd several other urban rivers increasingly reduced to sewage drains or heavily degraded waterways.

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Climate Change · Dams · Maharashtra · River Front Development · Urban Rivers

Riparian Forest 22 degrees Celsius cooler than the Riverfront Project!

July 16, 2026July 17, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

Pune saw some of the warmest summer days and nights this summer. So did several Indian cities. With the recent monsoon, the thoughts of this heat might have washed away but it is important that one does not forget the summer heat. Why? Read More:

*Riparian Forest Photo Credit: Tara Tanmayi S.*

Why run and hurry? Here’s dictionary: Microclimate: Microclimate generally refers to the specific climatic conditions within a small area (such as street, park, riverside, etc.). With rise in extreme events like heat and global warming, microclimate is what make cities/ spaces livable. The temperature difference you experience while driving on a road with no tree cover vs with a tree cover is what microclimate is.

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Dams, Rivers & People · Urban Rivers

DRP 270426: Probe into violations by Pune River Front Development Project

April 27, 2026April 27, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Pune RFD work along Mula Mutha river. Credit: Free Press Journal)

The Maharashtra government order for a probe into the violations of the Environmental Clearance of the controversial Pune River Front Development (RFD) project is noteworthy for a number of aspects. Most importantly, it signifies a significant gain for the critiques of the project, since the probe has been ordered following a letter by environmentalist Sarang Yadwadkar, who has been relentlessly fighting against the project.

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Environmental Flow · Floodplain · Floods · Urban Rivers · Yamuna River

Yamuna Manthan 0426: Will Govts Ensure Survival of Chambal River Sanctuary?

April 9, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Index map of Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal River Interlinking Project. Souce: NWDA)

Two critical developments over the past month have once again highlighted the scale of threats undermining the ecological integrity of the Chambal, the largest tributary of the Yamuna. The rich aquatic life in the Chambal Sanctuary has already been adversely affected by the gradual decline in river flows and unabated illegal sand mining.

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Urban Rivers

International Day of Actions for Rivers 2026: Citizens Actions to Protect Urban Rivers in India

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Short march with a loud message: Citizens protest against Riverfront Development project in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Source: Express Photo)

On the occasion of the 29^th International Day of Action for Rivers, celebrated annually on March 14 since 1997, the SANDRP highlights ten inspiring examples of citizen-led initiatives in last one year across India aimed at protecting urban rivers. The overview showcases how citizen groups and individuals are taking action to address river pollution, oppose ecologically harmful development projects and promote restoration and conservation of urban river ecosystems. These efforts demonstrate the crucial role of public participation in safeguarding rivers and ensuring that river management prioritizes ecological health, transparency and the rights of affected communities.

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Dam floods · Urban Flood · Urban Rivers

2025: Dam Induced Urban Floods in India

December 7, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: The Musi river in flood spate in Hyderabad on Sept 27, 2025 following incessant rains and the lifting of gates at the overflowing Osman Sagar and Himayatsagar reservoirs. Credit: Nagara Gopal )

In 2025, we could find reports on two Indian cities facing the impact of dam induced floods. While the excessive discharges by Himayat Sagar reservoir severely inundated residential areas along Musi river in Hyderabad in last week of Sept 2025, the significant releases by Ukai dam authority into Tapi river affected daily life in Surat city twice in mid Aug and first week of Sept. 2025.

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