FLOOD MODEL STUDY REPORT OF

WARDHA RIVER
1. INTRODUCTION

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has appointed M/s GR Infraprojects Ltd

for executing the construction of Four laning of existing 2-lane stretch from Bamni to

MH/TG Border section of NH-930D in the State of Maharashtra on HAM. The project

road crosses the river Wardha at chainage km 21+600 near Rajura town. The

present study is carried out to assess the HFL and inundation extent for safe design

of proposed bridge over river Wardha and road embankment.

2. RIVER WARDHA

Wardha River originates at an altitude of 777 Metres in the Satpura Range near Multai

in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh from the origin it flows 32 Km in Madhya Pradesh

and then enter into Maharashtra. After traversing 528 Kms, it joins Wainganga at Seoni

in Chandrapur District. Kar, Wena, Jam, Erai are the left tributaries and Madu, Bembla

& Penganga are the right tributaries of the river. The total catchment area of the river

at proposed bridge location is about 49427 Sq. Km as measured using Bhuvan

platform developed by ISRO.

The average annual rainfall is 900mm. Most of the rainfall is received during the South-

West monsoon from June to October. In the winter the minimum temperature varies

from 70 C to 130 C & Maximum temperature varies from 390 C to 470 C, Month of May

is the hottest & December January is the coldest month.

 Fig 1 : Catchment Area Plan

3. SITE APPRECIATION & DATA COLLECTION

A reconnaissance survey for hydrological study of the proposed bridge was carried

out. These investigations were primarily intended to examine the proposed 4-Lane

bridge site location including physical characteristics of river upstream and

downstream, highest flood level (HFL) and methodology for evaluating/computing

hydrological and hydraulic design of the proposed major bridge over river Wardha.

Objective of Site Visit:

The reconnaissance survey was carried out with the following objectives:

1. To get a general idea about the topography and flow characteristics of the River

Wardha.
2. To collect data regarding hydraulic performance of the adjacent existing upstream

bridges and for preliminary assessment of existing condition, number and size, etc.

3. To collect discharge and HFL data, to the extent possible, from local offices of state

PWD, Central Water Commission and other relevant agencies.

The design team visited the Regional Office of the Central Water Commission, Nagpur

for the status and availability of Gauge and Discharge monitoring stations maintained

by CWC adjacent to proposed bridge location. It was learnt that sufficient hydrological

data regarding discharge and HFL of the Wardha River are available with Central

Monitoring Organization of CWC Nagpur. The details of G&D site which is relevant for

this project is as under

Name of District Name Type Year of

S.No. Site of River collection of
data/availability

1 Bamni Chandrapur Wardha Discharge 1970-2019

The location of above-mentioned G&D sites very closed to proposed bridge site

(approx. 200m d/s).

General condition of the existing bridges and river bed and flow condition, profile, flood

plain, etc. at proposed bridge location has been inspected as shown in the following

photographs which were also taken during site visit.

During site visit, design team conducted local enquiry and learnt that the existing arch

type submersible road bridge has tendency to overtopped approx 2.7 m from existing

FRL during normal floods. There are two existing railway bridges located at 500m

upstream which are high level bridges and never overtopped historically. During year
1986; maximum water level attained marked on rail bridge pier is inspected and

measured as 178.802m by project survey engineer. The soffit level of existing rail bridge

is measured as RL 181.847m. It is also learnt that during floods; the extent of flood

water is very wide on both sides of river banks.

During current monsoon flood in the 2022; the existing road bridge is overtopped and

observed/measured flood level reported as 175.305 m. During flood event traffic was

closed for 4 days. The proposed bypass area was completely inundated due to extent

of flood water. During public consultation it has been learnt that the proposed bypass

area often gets inundated even in normal floods. Some site photographs were taken

during current flood are shown as under

4. DESIGN FLOOD ESTIMATION: APPROACH & METHODOLOGY
For estimation of design flood, The Central Water Commission (CWC) has divided the

whole Geographical Territory of India into 21 distinct hydro-meteorologically

homogenous Sub-zones. The proposed project area comes under Sub-zone 3(f). For

streams/river having catchment areas more than 25 sq. km and upto 5000 sq.km, Unit

Hydrograph Method as stipulated in the Flood Estimation Report has been

recommended in sub-zone report 3(f). Further empirical equations for determination of

design discharge are not applicable due to large estimated catchment area.

However, in the present case, catchment area is 49427 km2; thus, above mentioned

methods are not applicable. In view of above limitations; historical discharge of Bamni

G&D site from year 1970 to 2019 have been collected for analysis.

In the field of hydrology, frequency analysis are used to predict design flood discharge

for sites along a river. This technique involves using observed annual peak discharge

data to calculate statistical information such as mean values, standard deviations,

skewness, and recurrence intervals. These statistical data are then used to construct

frequency distributions, which are graphs and tables that shows the likelihood of
 various discharges as a function of recurrence interval or exceedance probability.

Thus; Frequency analysis has been done using Gumbel’s Extreme Value distribution.

The detailed calculation tabulated as under

(Sx)^2 = (X-Xm)^2

Yt = -ln.ln(Tr/Tr-1)
Reduced Variate
Return Period
Peak W.L.(m)

Peak W.L. in
descending

P = m/(N+1)
Order(m)
order(m)

T = 1/P
Year

1970 12120 21400 1 0.020 51 161703929.634 3.92194

1971 3940 15600 2 0.039 26 47835012.034 3.21874
1972 5141 15000 3 0.059 17 39895468.834 2.80305
1973 9610 15000 4 0.078 13 39895468.834 2.50497
1974 5141 14600 5 0.098 10 35002440.034 2.27124
1975 8800 14096 6 0.118 9 29292839.746 2.07814
1976 13600 14074 7 0.137 7 29055183.162 1.91301
1977 9841 13876 8 0.157 6 26959833.906 1.76828
1978 15000 13600 9 0.176 6 24169868.034 1.63909
1979 15000 12740 10 0.196 5 16453456.114 1.52210
1980 10143 12641 11 0.216 5 15660112.486 1.41492
1981 14600 12120 12 0.235 4 11808061.474 1.31578
1982 3641 11879 13 0.255 4 10209852.622 1.22336
1983 15600 11160 14 0.275 4 6131992.354 1.13660
1984 2350 11000 15 0.294 3 5365180.834 1.05467
1985 4986 10400 16 0.314 3 2945637.634 0.97690
1986 21400 10220 17 0.333 3 2360174.674 0.90272
1987 990 10143 18 0.353 3 2129515.630 0.83168
1988 11160 10035 19 0.373 3 1825973.854 0.76338
1989 6078 9841 20 0.392 3 1339310.886 0.69748
1990 10400 9727 21 0.412 2 1088445.678 0.63369
1991 8205 9610 22 0.431 2 858005.754 0.57176
1992 11000 9513 23 0.451 2 687715.270 0.51146
1993 6602 8800 24 0.471 2 13522.434 0.45257
1994 14074 8758 25 0.490 2 5518.410 0.39493
1995 14096 8747 26 0.510 2 4005.118 0.33834
1996 3200 8604 27 0.529 2 6354.322 0.28267
1997 3772 8205 28 0.549 2 229167.094 0.22774
1998 3438 8175 29 0.569 2 258789.934 0.17342
1999 8175 7867 30 0.588 2 667021.758 0.11957
2000 12740 7650 31 0.608 2 1068564.634 0.06604
2001 10035 7539 32 0.627 2 1310370.142 0.01269
2002 11879 7359 33 0.647 2 1754867.182 -0.04062
2003 7539 6602 34 0.667 2 4333533.178 -0.09405
 (Sx)^2 = (X-Xm)^2

Yt = -ln.ln(Tr/Tr-1)
Reduced Variate
Return Period
Peak W.L.(m)

Peak W.L. in
descending

P = m/(N+1)
Order(m)
order(m)

T = 1/P
Year

2004 2512 6078 35 0.686 1 6789745.450 -0.14776

2005 8604 5891 36 0.706 1 7799251.486 -0.20194
2006 13876 5141 37 0.725 1 12550822.486 -0.25679
2007 7867 5141 38 0.745 1 12550822.486 -0.31253
2008 4688 4986 39 0.765 1 13673088.826 -0.36944
2009 783.7 4688 40 0.784 1 15965730.370 -0.42783
2010 8747 3940 41 0.804 1 22502822.514 -0.48811
2011 5891 3772 42 0.824 1 24124934.418 -0.55078
2012 7650 3641 43 0.843 1 25428964.486 -0.61647
2013 12641 3438 44 0.863 1 27517515.370 -0.68608
2014 8758 3200 45 0.882 1 30071119.234 -0.76084
2015 10220 2512 46 0.902 1 38090053.698 -0.84260
2016 9727 2350 47 0.922 1 40115933.034 -0.93434
2017 1053 1053 48 0.941 1 58227796.150 -1.04141
2018 9513 990 49 0.961 1 59193235.114 -1.17517
2019 7359 783.7 50 0.980 1 62410221.200 -1.36910

SUM 434185.7
AVERAGE 8683.71
S.D.(Sx) 4470.623501

Reduce Variate v/s Peak Level

25150
y = 3739.9x + 6632.2
20150 R² = 0.962
Peak Level

15150
Series1

10150 Series2
Linear (Series2)
5150

150
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Reduce Variate
 Computation of Discharge using Gumbel's Extreme Value Distribution

Return Period(T) in Reduced Variate, Frequency Factor, Expected Flood (m)

years Yt = -ln.ln(T/(T-1)) K=(Yt - Yn)/Sn Xt = Xm + K* Sx

2 0.3665129 -0.1567908 7982.76

5 1.4999400 0.8197122 12348.34
10 2.2503673 1.4662422 15238.73
25 3.1985343 2.2831345 18890.75
50 3.9019387 2.8891519 21600.02
100 4.6001492 3.4906946 24289.30

5. Determination of High Flood Level and Inundation Extent

In order to assess the flood level and its extent of inundation; a hydraulic model have
been constructed using HEC-RAS. US Army Corps of Engineer’s HEC-RAS is
designed to perform one dimensional hydraulic calculation for a full network of natural
or constructed channels, overbanks/floodplain areas, levee protection areas, etc.

In the present study, whole reach of about 2.5 km of River Wardha is simulated in the
model with about 7 cross sections starting from upstream of old rail bridge. The location
of cross section (white coloured lines) taken for study is illustrated in Fig-2
 Fig 2 : Location of Cross Sections

6. HEC-RAS Model Set up

Topographic survey data i.e. bed levels of about 5 km across river Wardha have been
captured for real representation of ground profile, river profile, left and right overbanks
for assessment of flood impact and/or its extent. In HEC-RAS at each cross-section
river station, left and right overbank location, segment length between two adjacent
cross section, manning’s coefficient is provided. There are seven cross sections are
used for hydraulic model development. The proposed major road bridge is located at
river station number 8.

One dimensional steady flow analysis is done to analyse the water surface elevation
and floodplain inundation mapping.
 Fig 3 : HEC-RAS Model Set up : River Cross Sections

6.1 Input Boundary Conditions for Steady Flow Model

The discharge of 24500 cumecs corresponding to 100-year return period computed

from Flood Frequency Analysis and river’s longitudinal slope (0.0002m/m) is used as
boundary conditions for hydraulic model simulation.
Manning’s Roughness Coefficient adopted for the main channel and overbanks is as
follows;
Left Overbank Main Channel Right Overbank
0.06 0.045 0.06
6.2 Hydraulic Model Results

Hydraulic Parameters Output Table

Legend

WS PF 1
Ground
Bank Sta
10

6
8 7

Fig 4 : Perspective Plot View

 wardha bamni
185 Legend

EG PF 1
180
WS PF 1
Crit PF 1
175 Ground
Elevation (m)

170

165

160

10
5

9
155
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Main Channel Distance (m)

Fig 5 : Water Surface Elevation Profile

Simulated Cross-Sections:

CS at US1
.06 .045 .06
185 Lege nd

EG PF 1
180 WS PF 1
Crit PF 1
175
Elevation (m)

0.2 m/s
0.4 m/s
170 0.6 m/s
0.8 m/s
165 1.0 m/s
1.2 m/s
160 Ground
Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.1 : Cross Section at U/S of Old Rail Bridge

 CS at US2
.06 .045 .06
185 Lege nd

EG PF 1
180
WS PF 1

0.4 m/s
175
Elevation (m)

0.6 m/s

170 0.8 m/s

1.0 m/s

165 1.2 m/s

1.4 m/s
160 Ground

Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.2 : Cross Section at middle of Old & New Rail Bridge

CS at US3 BRIDGE
.06 .045 .06
185 Lege nd

EG PF 1
180 WS PF 1
0.4 m/s
175
Elevation (m)

0.6 m/s
0.8 m/s
170 1.0 m/s
1.2 m/s
165 1.4 m/s
1.6 m/s
160 Ground
Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Station (m)

Fig 6.3 : Cross Section at Proposed Major Road Bridge

CS at US4
.06 .045 .06
185 Lege nd

EG PF 1
180 WS PF 1
0.4 m/s
175
Elevation (m)

0.6 m/s
0.8 m/s
170 1.0 m/s
1.2 m/s
165 1.4 m/s
1.6 m/s
160 Ground
Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.4 : Cross Section at 350m D/S from Proposed Major Road Bridge
 CS at US5
.06 .045 .06
185 Lege nd

EG PF 1
180 WS PF 1

0.2 m/s

175
Elevation (m)

0.4 m/s
0.6 m/s

0.8 m/s
170
1.0 m/s

1.2 m/s
165
1.4 m/s
1.6 m/s
160 Ground

Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.5 : Cross Section at 700m D/S from Proposed Major Road Bridge

CS at US6
.06 .045 .06
185 Le gend

EG PF 1
180
WS PF 1

175
Elevation (m)

0.0 m/s

0.5 m/s
170
1.0 m/s

1.5 m/s
165
2.0 m/s
160 Ground

Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.6 : Cross Section at 1100m D/S from Proposed Major Road Bridge

CS at US 7
.06 .045 .06
190 Lege nd

EG PF 1
185
WS PF 1

180 Crit PF 1
Elevation (m)

0.0 m/s
175 0.5 m/s
1.0 m/s
170
1.5 m/s

165 2.0 m/s

2.5 m/s
160 Ground
Bank Sta
155
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Station (m)

Fig 6.7 : Cross Section at 1450m D/S from Proposed Major Road Bridge
7. Flood Mitigation measures for Proposed Road Embankment and
Adjacent Habitation (Rajura Town)

The project road shall be designed duly considering the HFL to avoid any overtopping in future.
Considering the Adopted Design HFL (RL 180m) of river Wardha at proposed bridge location
and its wide flood spread impact along the project alignment including bypass area; it is prudent
to provide adequate number of balancing cross drainage structures like small bridges along the
flood impacted project alignment. The provision of balancing additional new C.D Structures will
help to reduce the adverse impact of flood water to nearby habitation and embankment of
project road.

Minimum Waterway Requirement:

As per clause 106.5.1.2 of IRC :5-2015 calculation of linear waterway requirement is as

follows:

W = 4.8 x (Q)^0.5
W = 4.8 x (24290)^0.5
W = 748 m say 750 m
Proposed Bridges length (water way length provided in the area as per Sch-B = 462 m
(Adopted HFL at DPR stage is 176.450)
Additional requirement of Waterway= 750 – 462 = 288 m say 290m

Considering the health and safety of proposed approach or high embankment and to release
the hydrostatic pressure of flood water, at least additional gross 290m length of balancing
bridge in segregated manner given in below Table may be provided as per ground conditions
in approach embankment or flood embankment on either side of proposed main bridge.

S.No. Project Chainage Balancing Span Balancing C.D.

Arrangements(m) Structure Type
1 19+700 1 x 10 MNB
2 20+620 1 x 10 MNB
3 21+000 1 x 15 MNB
4 22+000 1 x 15 MNB
5 22+300 1 x 30 MNB
6 22+620 1 x 30 MNB
7 23+185 1 x 30 MNB
8 23+540 1 x 30 MNB
9 23+950 1 x 30 MNB
10 24+080 1 x 30 MNB
11 24+330 1 x 30 MNB
12 24+680 1 x 30 MNB