International Journal of

Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014

Storm Water Management for Urban Areas of Bangladesh by Analytical &

Modelling Approach: A Case Study of Chalna Municipality
M. RAHMAN, RUPAYAN SAHA, M. M. HAQUE, SHAHADAT HOSSAIN
Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: msq@iwmbd.org, rmusfiqur19@gmail.com, rsa@iwmbd.org, mdm@iwmbd.org
shn@iwmbd.org, shlitonbuet@gmail.com
Abstract: Climate change will affect water resources through its impact on the quantity, variability, timing,
formation and intensity of precipitation. Improved management of storm water is critical, if addressed
inadequately, it will jeopardize progress of poverty reduction targets and sustainable development in all
economic, social and environmental dimensions. The purpose of this drainage study is to assess the present
drainage situation, identify the future requirements and suggest improvement of the drainage network system to
provide the Municipality a area free from water congestion within an acceptable environmental condition.
Integrated study of drainage dynamics in consideration of gravity flow for the proposed drainage improvement
system is made by developing rainfall-runoff model and analytical computation for the urbanized area. The
overall planning processes are conjugated with rigorous study of infrastructure, Digital Elevation Model
(DEM), land-use and sattelite image using GIS for a preliminary conceptual understanding of the Municipality
system; identification of rivers/khals* surrounding the Municipality and collection of data to understand the
hydrological response of the Municipality; assessment of effective range of land levels which would be
considered for planning process; making of intensive field visit for identification of possible outfalls and
drainage routes in verification of the preceding planning processes; planning of drains & zones with scrutinized
outfall locations; and finally storm runoff assessment using empirical formula. Modelling approach is used to
generate catchment runoffs which are calibrated against flows using empirical formula known as modified
rational formula for respective design year.
Keywords: Storm water management, Strom Runoff, Drainage improvement plan , Changing Climate
1. Introduction:
Storm water management systems have to be
designed to handle the heavy downpours that are
expected to increase in intensity and frequency with
shifting of storm pattern as a result of climate change.
It has been identified that improvement of the
drainage system is one of the highest priority needs of
the urban areas authority for living environment of its
population. The Municipality under this study suffers
from drainage congestions and water logging
especially during rainy season which creates an
unhealthy environmental situation and causes
inconvenience to the residents of it including damages
to the infrastructure, loss of business and spreading of
diseases. It is observed that there is a lack of planned
and adequate drainage network system in this
Municipality. Existing drains are inadequate in
capacities and lack in gradient and also do not reach
the suitable outfall. Moreover, those drains are
insufficient to deal with the full drainage resulting
from rainfall runoff. The objectives of this drainage
study is to assess the present drainage situation,
identify the future requirements and suggest
improvement of the drainage network system to
provide the Municipality a area free from water
logging/congestion
within
an
acceptable
environmental condition in consideration with climate
change which will cause extreme hydrological events
like precipitation.
* natural or manmade canals

2. Methodology:
2.1 General:
Drainage system of Chalna Municipality is assessed
through a sequence of analytical processes. The
drainage system of Municipality and its response to
hydrology govern the planning for its storm drainage
system. The overall planning processes comprise:
collection of survey data of infrastructures/feature,
contour, land-use and image for a preliminary
conceptual understanding of the Municipality system
with a review of reconnaissance and other available
reports; identification of rivers/khals surrounding the
Municipality and collection of data to understand the
hydrological response of the Municipality; assessment
of effective range of land levels which have to be
considered for planning process; making of an
intensive field visit for identification of possible
outfalls and drainage routes in verification of the
preceding planning processes; planning of drains &
zones with identification of outfall locations/ reaches;
and finally storm runoff assessment using empirical
formula. Integrated study of drainage dynamics in
consideration with gravity drainage for the proposed
drainage improvement system is made by developing
drainage model for the Municipality. Model is applied
to assess the extent of improvement of gravity
drainage. The approach comprises development of
Rainfall-runoff model for hydrological analysis and
correlating the proposed drainage system with the
existing river model to assess hydraulic performances.

IJSGWM 010101 Copyright 2014 BASHA RESEARCH CENTRE. All rights reserved

M. RAHMAN, RUPAYAN SAHA, M. M. HAQUE, SHAHADAT HOSSAIN

After runoff is assessed, drain sections are proposed

using Mannings formula considering several design
criteria.

Figure 1 shows Flow Chart for Drainage Study by

Analytical approach.

2.2 Analytical Approach:

2.2.1 Peak Runoff Calculation
The Modified Rational Method is one of the simplest
methods for calculation of runoff. It gives reasonably
accurate result and widely used method for
calculation of runoff for last few decades. In
designing primary and secondary drains of Chalna
Municipality the Modified Rational Method is
practiced. The runoff is calculated by Modified
Rational Method as equation (1).
Peak runoff, QP = Cs Cr I A/360
Where,

(1)

Q = Peak Runoff Flow Rate (m3/s)

I = Rainfall Intensity (mm/hr)
Cs = Storage Coefficient
Cr = Runoff Coefficient
A = Catchment Area (Hectares)

2.2.2 Time of concentration:

Time of concentration (Tc) is generally defined as the
longest runoff travel time for contributing flow to
reach the outlet or design point, or other point of
interest. It is frequently calculated along the longest
flow path physically. The time of concentration is the
sum of time of entry (Te) and travel time (Tt). Time of
entry is the time taken for runoff from the farthest
point in the contributing area to flow over the ground
and enter into the drain. Travel time is the time taken
for runoff to flow through the drain. The time of entry
(Te) is estimated using Kirpitch Equation with the
minimum time of entry set as 4 minutes. The Kirpitch
equation (2) is:
Te = 0.019621 L 0.77/ S 0.385
(2)
Where, Te = time of entry in minutes
L = maximum length of overland flow in metre
S = average ground slope
Travel time (Tt) is calculated by dividing the length of
drain by the water velocity.The rainfall after
evaporation and infiltration accumulates first in the
depressions, until these have been reached their
capacity and then runoff. To take these effects a
storage coefficient is used. The value of the storage
coefficient is used 0.7 as Chalna Municipality is
central area mixed commercial and housing also
residential areas with detached houses. The runoff
coefficient represents the ratio between the volume of
runoff and the volume of rainfall. Runoff coefficient
is used 0.4 for Chalna Municipality as residential
areas with detached houses.

Figure 1: Flow Chart for Drainage Study (Analytical)

2.3 Modelling Approach:
Modelling approach is used to generate catchment
runoffs. The runoffs are calibrated against flows using
modified rational formula. The study includes data
collection from primary and secondary sources,
analyzing and checking of data, development of
hydrological model, reviewing and correlating
Municipality drainage system with existing regional
models developed by IWM, identification of design
year and simulation of the model for the design year,
determination of design flows from model simulation,
calculation of design parameters from design flows
etc. Design years to carry out simulations are
determined from the statistical of historical 2-day
maximum rainfall data. Long term simulated water
levels of Municipality-outfall from the existing
regional river model are statistically analyzed to find
out water levels for average year. Municipality
drainage systems are correlated with the average
water level of Outfall River to review and iterate the
proposed parameters of planned drainage systems.
Figure 2 shows Flow Chart for Drainage Study by
modelling approach.

International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7

Storm Water Management for Urban Areas of Bangladesh by Analytical & Modelling Approach:
A Case Study of Chalna Municipality
3. Description of the municipality:
3.1 Location and Topography
Chalna Municipality is located in Dacope Upazila of
Khulna District under Khulna Division. Location of
Chalna Municipality and Land-use detail is shown in
Figure 3.

Figure 2: Flow Chart for Drainage Study (Modelling)

2.4 Drain Section Design:
2.4.1 Mannings Equation
The Mannings Equation is used for calculation of
flow velocity is given below. In determining the
dimension of drain, the criterion is that the design
discharge (Qd) should be greater than the peak runoff
(Qp). Manning equation (3) is

V = [1/n][R2/3][S1/2]

(3)

And Design discharge Qd =AV= A[1/n][R2/3][S1/2]

Where: V = velocity of flow, m3/s
n = Mannings roughness coefficient value
S = Hydraulic gradient, m/m
R = hydraulic radius=A/P, m
A= flow area, m2
The value of Mannings roughness coefficient n
used in the Mannings equation is usually depends on
type of drain, for RCC drain, n=0.014 & Earthen
drain, n=0.025.

Figure 3: Location Land-use of Chalna Municipality

The change in elevation of most of the Municipality
area is gradual. The land elevation of the Municipality
effectively ranges between 0.64 mPWD and 3.19
mPWD. It is assessed that 11% land of the
Municipality is below 1.08 mPWD while 47%, 62%,
72%, 83%, 90%, 99%and 100% of the land are below
1.39 mPWD, 1.54 mPWD, 1.69 mPWD, 1.99 mPWD,
2.44 mPWD, 3.04 mPWD and 3.19 mPWD
respectively. Figure 4 shows area-elevation of the
Municipality. The use of present Municipalitys area
can be broadly divided into lands for agricultural
(76%) and non-agricultural (24%). Major settlements
are in the areas of Ward Nos. 4, 5, 6 & 8 with some
scattered settlements in Ward Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7 & 9.
3.50
3.00
2.50

Elevation (mPWD)

2.4.2 Other Design Criteria:

Where possible the minimum velocity in drains
should be 0.7 m/s for Tertiary drains and 1 m/s for
Secondary drains to ensure that they are selfcleansing. For lined primary drains and outfalls
velocity should not exceed 3 m/s and for unlined
velocity should not exceed 1.5 m/s. The designed
drains should have minimum allowance for freeboard
of 200mm for primary drains and 150mm for
secondary drains and 100mm for tertiary drains. The
recommended longitudinal slopes are 1:500 for
tertiary drain, 1:1000 for secondary drain and 1:2000
for primary drain and outfall. The preferred side slope
for unlined trapezoidal section for primary drain and
outfall is 1:1.5 although in some areas side slopes of
1:2 may be required due to poor ground conditions.
For lined channel the longitudinal and side slopes may
be steeper than that mentioned.

2.00
1.50

1.00
0.50
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Area %

Figure 4: Area-Elevation curve of Chalna

Municipality
3.2 River and Khal System:
The Municipality stands on the right bank of Passur
and Chunkuri rivers. The river Jhapjhapia runs on the
north to west off the Municipality. The Passur and
Chunkuri rivers run by the east of Municipality in
south direction. These rivers surrounding the
Municipality are tidal in nature. Regional river system
adjacent to the Municipality is shown in Figure 5.

International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7

M. RAHMAN, RUPAYAN SAHA, M. M. HAQUE, SHAHADAT HOSSAIN

Figure 7(a): Chalna Khal

Figure 5: Regional river system surrounding the
Municipality
The khal system of the Municipality is virtually
non-tidal being subjected to the overall management
of the Polder 31. Titapara Khal, Baraikali to Satghoria
Khal, Chalna Khal, Choto-Chalna Khal, Kholishagate Khal, Kadom-Tola Khal, Achavua Khal,
Garkhati Khal, Katakhali Khal, Barow Khal, Boro
Kalsha Khal, Garkhati Khal, Zairbuner Khal,
Annandanagor Khal and Captain Road side khal are
the natural khals of the Municipality.
The river and Khal system of Municipality is shown
in Figure 6.

Figure 7(b): Chunkuri River from Chalna

Pourashava
3.4 Rainfall Pattern:
Chalna (R503) is a rainfall gauging station with
reasonable length of records and is located nearest to
the Municipality. The maximum and minimum
rainfalls are 264 mm and 90 mm respectively with the
event of yearly 1-day maximum rainfalls. The average
yearly rainfall is about 2671 mm. About 74% rainfall
occurs during the period from June to September.

Figure 6: River and Khal system of the Municipality

3.3 Existing Drainage Network:
There exist few lined and unlined drains within the
Municipality. These can drain some local areas of the
Municipality. The capacity and outfalls of existing
drainage system is not planned with well defined
consideration of drainage areas/zones for the whole
Municipality. The lengths of existing lined and
unlined drains are about 1.32 km. In absence of
planned and adequate drainage system, the
Municipality in some places suffer from drainage
congestion and water logging after heavy rainfall

3.5 Flood Pattern:

The Municipality lies in the tidal basin of
Passur-Sibsa River system. The nearest water level
gauging is available at Chalna (243) on Passur River
which is fairly calibrated by the regional model
developed in IWM. The average year flood level for
the Municipality is estimated to 1.13 mPWD in
consideration with field visit, local peoples opinion
and satellite based flood map analysis. The major
parts of the Municipality lie in the Polder 31 which is
subjected to internal rain fed flood and the flood level
inside the Polder is assessed to same as that of
external average flood level. Some settlements of core
area are relatively high and lie outside the Polder, and
above the high tides. It is assessed that 66% of the
area of Municipality is above the average flood level
while the rest of the land is subjected to shallow depth
of flooding.

International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7

Storm Water Management for Urban Areas of Bangladesh by Analytical & Modelling Approach:
A Case Study of Chalna Municipality
4. Drainage improvement plan:
4.1 Classification of Municipality into Zones:
The area of the Municipality has been planned for
improvement under gravity drainage system. The
whole Municipality has been divided into 14 zones for
drainage improvement plan shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Drainage Zones of Chalna Municipality

The summary of runoff discharges of all 14 zones are
given in Table 1. It is considered for the estimate of
discharges that when storm drains are required in areas
of the Municipality, such areas will have the
characteristics of urbanization like mostly that of usual
residential areas.

Drainage
Zone
Zone-1
Zone-2
Zone-3
Zone-4
Zone-5
Zone-6
Zone-7
Zone-8
Zone-9
Zone-10
Zone-11
Zone-12
Zone-13
Zone-14

Table 1: Design Discharge

Drainage Area
Discharge (m3/s)
(ha)
134
10.51
61
4.73
78
5.92
104
7.77
94
6.91
50
3.66
29
2.03
86
6.07
77
5.35
163
11.17
41
2.73
10
0.66
19
1.23
27
1.77

engineering survey data and existing drainage

network map. Most of the drainage structures in the
Chalna Municipality are culverts and bridges.
Schematization of the model considers the primary
channels, major drains and part of the network
important for the system. Table 2 contains the list of
drainage channels and drains included in the model.

Figure 8: Drainage Routes and Catchments for

Chalna Municipality
The delineated catchments and drainage routes using
GIS are shown in Figure 8. Topographic data such as
land and road crest level and drain cross sections,
hydrometric data such as water level and discharge,
meteorological data such as rainfall and evaporation
were collected to develop Chalna Drainage Model.
4.3 Rainfall-Runoff Model:
Model study of hydrological analysis of the Chalna
Municipality drainage system has been carried out
using MIKE Urban model B concept of MIKE 11
hydrodynamic module. In this connection, GIS has
been applied to delineate catchments and drainage
routes of Chalna Municipality. A number of drainage
areas have been delineated as catchments for the
Chalna Municipality based on the area of interest.
Existing roads, Digital Elevation Model (DEM),
infrastructure, homestead, contour maps, natural
canals and rivers in and around the Chalna
Municipality and the outfalls have been considered in
delineating the drainage routes and catchments.
Figure 9 shows comparision of runoff calculated by
analytical and modelling approach.

4.2 Proposed Drainage System:

The drainage network of Chalna Municipality
contains a few complex inter-connected networks of
small drains. Most of the existing drains are found
undefined and not routinely maintained. Major drains
are considered based on identified outfalls,
International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management
Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7

M. RAHMAN, RUPAYAN SAHA, M. M. HAQUE, SHAHADAT HOSSAIN

4.4 Proposed Design Parameters:

Mannings Equation is used for the calculation of
flow velocity and determining drain section. Design
sections for all proposed drains are given in Table 4.
A longitudinal section of a proposed drain is shown in
Figure 10.

Comparison of Runoffs between Analytical and Model Simulation

1.60
1.40

Analytical data

Model Data

Runoffs (m3/s)

1.20
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40

S3_1

0.20
0.00
P1S1

P1S2

S1

S1_1

S2

S2_1

S3

S3_1

S4

Figure 9: Runoff comparison between analytical and

model simulation
The model simulations have generated runoff in the
drains draining towards the outfall channels proposed
for the Chalna Municipality area. An analysis of 20
(1986-09) years runoffs from historical simulation of
model is given in Table 3.

ID of Drain and Catchment

P1
P1S1
P1S2
S1
S1_1
S2
S2_1
S3
S3_1
S4
S5

Drain
Chainage
ID

P1S1
P1S2
S1
S1_1
S2
S2_1
S3
S3_1
S4
S5

0-242
242-530
530-876
0-452
0-256
0-60
60-893
0-321
0-277
277-451
0-227
0-183
183-449
0-373
0-240
0-495

Model
Flows
Qd
(m3/s)
0.21
0.46
0.76
0.65
0.18
0.11
1.42
0.43
0.29
0.48
0.18
0.19
0.37
0.42
0.34
0.78

Drain Design Bottom Level

Avg. Year WL

S5

Drain Reference

Elevation (mPWD)

P1

P1

Avg. Land Level

0
0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Chainage (m)

Figure 10: Sample Longitudinal Drain Section of

drain S3_1

Table 2: Analysis of historical simulation of runoff

Average Flow (m3/s)
Minimum Flow (m3/s) Maximum Flow (m3/s)
0.15
0.88
0.77
0.65
0.14
0.77
0.18
0.10
0.21
1.42
0.21
1.35
0.43
0.12
0.44
0.48
0.10
0.50
0.18
0.13
0.25
0.41
0.14
0.36
0.42
0.11
0.43
0.34
0.11
0.33
0.78
0.16
0.79

Bottom
Width
(m)
0.65
0.80
1.00
0.80
0.50
0.70
1.00
0.65
0.60
0.70
0.55
0.60
0.70
0.70
0.60
0.80

Table 3: Design Parameters

Actual
Ground
Design
drain
Level
Capacity,
depth*
3
Qc (m /s) U/S D/S
(m)
0.85
0.30
2.32 2.15
1.00
0.49
2.15 2.25
1.20
0.78
2.25 2.20
1.15
0.98
2.23 1.76
0.75
0.30
1.89 1.85
1.15
0.25
2.49 2.15
0.85
0.64
2.15 2.88
0.95
0.44
2.02 2.10
0.95
0.39
1.94 1.72
1.00
0.53
1.72 1.77
0.80
0.27
1.55 1.72
0.90
0.36
1.71 1.84
0.95
0.49
1.84 1.65
0.95
0.49
2.21 1.82
0.95
0.39
1.55 1.60
1.20
0.83
1.64 1.95

Bottom
level
U/S

D/S

1.30
1.10
1.05
0.85
1.20
1.62
1.00
1.25
1.15
0.80
0.75
0.90
0.80
1.25
0.80
0.85

1.10
1.05
1.00
0.60
1.05
1.00
0.90
1.10
0.80
0.70
0.65
0.80
0.70
0.80
0.85
0.65

*Considering Freeboard. For Primary Drain 0.2m & Secondary Drain 0.15m
*Pri=Primary, Rec=Rectangular, Sec= Secondary, RCC= Reinforced Cement Concrete

International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7

Remarks
*Pri., Rec., RCC
Pri., Rec., RCC
Pri., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC
Sec., Rec., RCC

M. RAHMAN, RUPAYAN SAHA, M. M. HAQUE, SHAHADAT HOSSAIN

5. Conclusions:
Analytical study of drainage system followed by the
assessment of its performance in aid of model
application is found to be a suitable and convenient
method adopted for of the Municipality. S1, S1_1, S2,
S2_1, S3, S3_1, S4, S5, P1, P1S1 and P1S2 are the
major drains which are proposed for the storm
drainage of the Chalna Municipality. P1, P1S1, P1S2,
S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 drainage systems have priority
needs while S1_1, S2_1 and S3_1 drainage systems
are proposed in view of near future needs for the
Municipality. Raising of low land with earth fill
above the flood level is a pre-requisite for the land to
be brought under gravity drainage. It is recommended
that such land is raised to the similar level of high
land (not less than 2.5 mPWD) of the Municipality.
Lack of social awareness is a huge concern for
smooth functioning of the drains. Dumping of solid
wastes should be prevented to keep the drain in
flowing condition. Trash racks and silt traps shall
have to be provided at regular interval or selected
locations during construction of drains. The existing
Drains and also those will be constructed shall have to
cleaned at regular interval. Maintenance and cleaning
of drains shall have to be done at least once in every
year specially before starting of monsoon season. The
Municipality authority should monitor the water level
at outfalls, record the drainage congestion area of
each significant storm and maintain the existing river
and khal so that natural channels/ drains are not
encroached anyhow. The proposed drainage system is
found adequate for storm drainage of the
Municipality, and is recommended for detailed study
and necessary modification in consideration of social,
environmental, technical, economical and institutional
constraints.
Acknowledgements:
The authors acknowledge the support of all team
members of this project. Particularly, Mr. Robin
Raihan Ahmed, Project Director, GWMP, DPHE is
appreciated for his kind consent to the authors for this
publication. The inspiration of Mr. Emaduddin
Ahmad, Team Leader, Comp-1, Mathematical
Modelling for Safe Drinking Water Source
Identification project and Mr. S M Mahbubur
Rahman, Director, Water Resources Planning
Division, IWM has led the authors to this publication.
The authors render deep gratitude to their supervisor
Mr. Md. Monjur Kader for his constant guidance.

References:
[1] Ball J. and Babister M., (2010), Urban drainage
modelling and the future of the urban rational
method.
[2] Berggren K., Svensson G. and Viklander M.,
(2008), Urban drainage and climate change: a
problematic approach.
[3] DPHE
(Department
of
Public
Health
Engineering),
(2010),
Ground
Water
Management and Feasibility Study for 148
Municipalitys Having no Piped Water Supply;
Component I- Mathematical Modelling for Safe
Drinking Water Source Identification; Water
Supply
System
Development;
Dhamrai
Municipality, Dhaka District, Bangladesh.
[4] Haque, M.M. and Kamruzzaman, M. (2012),
Enhancement of Drainage Situation in Small
Township of Bangladesh using GIS: Akhaura
Municipality as an Illustration, 1st International
Conference on Advances in Civil Engineering2012, CUET, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
[5] Khan D.M., Shams K. and Hossain Md.K.,
(2012), Climate Change Impact on Urban
Drainage in Coastal Belt of Bangladesh, 9th
International Conference on Urban Drainage
Modelling.
[6] LGED
(Local
Government
Engineering
Department) (1998), Urban Drainage Manual,
prepared by DHV and AQUA Consultants.
[7] Loughlin G.O. and Stack B., (2012), Drains User
Manual. A manual on the DRAINS program for
urban stormwater drainage system design and
analysis.
[8] Rauch W., Krajewski J.L.B., Krebs P., Mark O.,
Schilling W., Schtze M. and Vanrolleghem
P.A., (2010), Mathematical Modelling Of
Integrated Urban Drainage Systems. Journal of
Wat.Sci.Tech, Vol. 45, pp. 81-94.
[9] Schmitt T.G., Schilling W., Saegrov S. and
Nieschulz K.P., (2002), Flood risk management
for urban drainage systems by simulation and
optimization, 9th International Conference on
Urban Drainage, Portland, region, USA.
[10] Schmitt T.G., Thomas M. and Ettrich N., (2004),
Analysis and Modelling of flooding urban
Drainage systems, Journal of Hydrology
(299)300-311.
[11] Willems P., Nielsen K.A., Olsson J. and Nguyen
V.T.V., (2010), Climate change impact
assessment on urban rainfall extremes and urban
drainage: Methods and shortcomings.

International Journal of Surface and Groundwater Management

Vol. 01, No. 01, Jan-Jun 2014, pp 1-7