Mitigating Urban Floods Through Low Impact Development Techniques: A Comprehensive Study of Biological and Structural Best Management Practices

Due to the combination of frequent high-intensity rainfall and global warming, urban flooding is one of the most damaging problems that can occur anywhere in the world. The region chosen for the study is Amaravati, the legislative capital of Andhra Pradesh, located within the Kondaveeti Vagu’s watershed area. This research uses low impact development (LID) strategies based on best management practices (BMP), including biological and structural approaches. The low-impact development methodology is a small-scale method that allows regionalization and is incorporated into the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Unlike traditional drainage systems that quickly funnel water away, LID mimics natural processes to manage stormwater at its source. It is inexpensive and simple to build, may be used as a beautiful element in landscaping, and is favorable to the environment. Bio-LID strategies include bioretention, rain gardens, and grasslands. On the other hand, the structural Low Impact Development approaches include the use of permeable pavement, rain barrels, and infiltration trenches. This research also investigates an amalgam of structural and biological LID techniques. It has been noticed, based on the results obtained, that the efficacy and capacity of biological best management practices (BMPs) exceed those of structural BMPs, when it comes to controlling and reducing the amount of runoff. The study’s findings will be helpful in the development of flood mitigation measures, which will involve installing drainage systems in metropolitan areas during the development process. Development of flood mitigation measures, which will involve installing drainage systems in metropolitan areas during the development process.