In a major step toward addressing its persistent water challenges Chennai has become the first Indian city to adopt a German-style rainwater harvesting method aiming to reduce flooding and improve water availability during dry spells.
The Greater Chennai Corporation is leading this initiative, which features the use of specially designed ‘catch-pits’ underground chambers built into the city’s drainage systems that capture and hold stormwater to prevent blockages and urban flooding. According to a report by Thanthi TV a single catch-pit can hold up to 40 million litres of rainwater over an area as small as eight grounds.
The method is now being integrated into the city’s broader urban planning strategy. As part of this, 770 parks across Chennai are being fitted with underground rainwater harvesting tanks, each with a 3,000-litre capacity. So far, infrastructure work has been completed in 250 parks, with the rest in various stages of development.
These tanks are expected to play a dual role recharging groundwater reserves and providing a sustainable solution to stormwater runoff, especially in flood-prone, low-lying areas of the city.
What sets this German technology apart is its focus on fast water percolation, effective surface runoff management, and the ability to store water for long periods qualities that make it especially suitable for dense urban environments like Chennai.
Officials believe that this approach, combining advanced engineering with local infrastructure needs, could mark a turning point in how Indian cities prepare for and manage climate-driven water crises.