Population growth and changing lifestyles of humankind have paved the way for the sociological trend of urbanization. Decrease in infiltration attributed by the impermeable surfaces, decrease in transpiration due to the absence of sufficient vegetation, subsequent lowering of ground water tables, declining quality of water and increase in the stream flow are all the plausible effects of urbanization. These changes in the hydrological processes within watersheds, along with uncertain precipitation patterns due to climate change have become the cause for urban pluvial floods. Urban areas being regions of social and economic importance, need to be made more resilient to frequently occurring urban flash floods.
In the context of urban stormwater management, the concept of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and low impact development (LID) measures have been gaining popularity as they focus on prioritizing quantity control and quality improvement through reliable and long-term strategies. Through this study we try to assess the impact of LIDs on the hydrological processes of a watershed when implemented at a basin scale. We shall be focusing on the development of process model representation for LIDs to be incorporated into hydrological models along with optimal selection and placement of LIDs adhering to the site constraints and subsequent impact assessment of the LIDs on the surface water and ground water conditions at the basin scale. The sustainable measures that are optimally employed for improving the resilience of watersheds to floods can also aid in augmenting the groundwater table levels and thus cater to the water demands of the watershed. Thus, through this study, we strive to achieve comprehensive design solutions for urban pluvial floods and water management through sustainable urban drainage systems that cater to the hydrological processes of the watershed.