1. Floods and droughts are a common occurrence
across India. During the rainy season, large
volumes of water run off the Himalayan range
often causing great damage downstream.
Sometimes this is followed by seasonal or
prolonged drought.
In addition, year-round agriculture production is
heavily dependent on groundwater pumping. Large
quantities of water pumped can exceed the amount
of recharge from rainfall which causes groundwater
levels to fall. This has negative implications not
only on agriculture, but also on water used for
domestic purposes and industry.
Hence, it is becoming increasingly important to
find solutions to tackle the twin problem of floods
and droughts to protect and safeguard lives,
property and livelihoods.
Underground Taming of Floods for Irrigation
(UTFI) involves diverting high water flows from rivers or canals at times when these flows pose flood risk and
recharging the groundwater via village ponds or small dams that are modified for this purpose. Through this
method we are aiming to reduce the flood risks locally and in the downstream areas, as well as improve the
groundwater conditions.
To identify suitable site for UTFI, several datasets such as drainage density, flood frequency, flood mortality and
distribution, extreme rainfall events, landuse, population density, geology, slope, soil, groundwater level, were
used. By analyzing the above mentioned datasets a few candidate villages were selected in Rampur district and
after detailed fieldwork and comprehensive stakeholder consultations, we settled upon Jiwai Jadid as the pilot
trial site.
After an extensive discussion with village body and villagers, to explain the benefits of UTFI; they were decided
to participate in the activities and an MoU was signed. With the active support from villagers, ground
implementation of UTFI concept in Jiwai Jadid village was achieved in two steps, first: transport source water in
pond and construction of necessary recharge shafts; and second: diverting the waste water away from pond
October 2015
June, 2015 September, 2015

2. using concrete drains. In the pilot, surface water is diverted from a nearby irrigation canal into a pond and
recharge occurs via the recharge structures during the wet season when flows are in excess. Concrete drains were
made to transport waste water from village in the west and south of the pond. Other than implementing agency
many manual earthworks were done by the villagers. It took about two and half months to prepare the site with
monsoon rains throwing in regular challenges. After completion of necessary construction work, water was
released to the pond via desilting chamber.
Since beginning of the September 2015, researchers from IWMI and CSSRI have started monitoring of the site.
Water samples are being collected bi-monthly from source (canal), recharge wells and piezometers. These water
samples are being analyzed in CSSRI laboratory in Lucknow. The analysis of these samples will help the
researchers to understand the changes in water quality pre and post UTFI. Consecutively economists and social
scientists from IWMI, LNRMI and TERI are collecting baseline socio-economic data which will help to
understand the impact of UTFI over the time and economics of UTFI for replication. With the support from
KVK the local people are engaged to maintain the site.
The pilot will help the research team in studying technical aspects such as recharge rates and changes in water
quality; socio-economic impacts in a gender inclusive manner. Through this pilot the team will look at scaling
up opportunities and viable models to tackle the dual challenges of flooding and groundwater depletion.
Further information:
Dr. Paul Pavelic
Team Leader
Email: p.pavelic@cgiar.org
Dr. Prasun K Gangopadhyay
Email: p.gangopadhyay@cgiar.org
Tel: +91 99 717 708 44
Nitasha Nair
Email: n.nair@cgiar.org
Mobile: +91 97 243 106 54
IWMI New Delhi, India
2nd Floor, CG Block C, NASC Complex DPS Marg, Pusa, Opp Todapur, New Delhi 110 012, India
Tel: +91 11 25843536, 25840812, 65976151, Fax: +91 11 25840811
UTFI.IWMI.org, wwwIWMI.org
Pond Canal Renovated pond Canal
After UTFI
in Jiwai Jadid
Before UTFI
in Jiwai Jadid