UNOPS India

National Seminar on Climate Resilient Rainwater Management for Water Security The National Seminar on Climate Resilient Rainwater Management for Water Security focused on strengthening practical, climate-resilient approaches to rainwater management, flood mitigation and water security, with particular attention to the challenges and opportunities emerging in rapidly urbanising cities such as Gurugram. Session I: National & State Policy Frameworks for Flood Management and Rainwater Harvesting Opening the session, Mr Ravinder Yadav, Additional/Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), highlighted Gurugram’s efforts to strengthen rainwater harvesting, water storage and groundwater recharge. He shared that MCG has 424 conventional rainwater-harvesting structures and has introduced modular water-arresting systems with capacities ranging from 30,000 litres to 2 lakh litres, with 130 systems installed as of 15 September. Dr Ashvani Gosain, Former Professor, IIT Delhi; Founder & Director, INRM Consultants, emphasised the importance of understanding natural drainage systems, catchments and carrying capacity before planning flood-management interventions. He highlighted hydrological modelling, data-driven planning, water-body restoration, rainwater harvesting, retention and detention storage, groundwater recharge and automated pumping systems. Mr Anirudh Soni, Project Officer, Water & Environment, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), showcased work on shallow aquifer management and groundwater recharge planning in Gurugram, using scientific surveys, GIS-based analysis and digital decision-support tools to identify recharge potential and guide interventions. He emphasised the importance of data sharing, collaboration and evidence-based planning. Mr @vinodmishra_UN , Country Manager, UNOPS, highlighted the need for a holistic approach to flood and water management, drawing on examples from Gurugram, Delhi and Patna. He emphasised early-warning systems, groundwater management, safe recharge practices, greywater reuse, circular water management and community participation. Mr Sanjeev Duhan, Superintending Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Haryana, and Mr Lalit Arora, Advisor, Infra-II, Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority, Government of Haryana, further highlighted the importance of integrated planning, protection of drainage systems and water bodies, land-use planning, coordination and community participation in strengthening urban flood resilience. The session reinforced the importance of integrated planning, scientific data, institutional coordination and long-term maintenance for climate-resilient rainwater management and water security.