Episode summary: In this bonus episode of Rethinking EHS, host Beatrice Bizzaro (HPC Italy, Inogen Alliance Global Water Working Group Lead) is joined by C. Rajadurai from Cholamandalam MS Risk Services (India) to examine three challenges affecting industrial facilities: recurring river flooding, extreme rainfall, and water scarcity. Through three practical case studies, the conversation explores how modelling, asset-level assessment, stormwater management, groundwater recharge, and water-source diversification can reduce disruption and strengthen long-term business continuity.
Episode notes:
This bonus episode expands on Episode 6 with three facility-level examples of water resilience in practice. While each begins with a different physical risk, all demonstrate the importance of translating climate assessment into engineering, operational, and business continuity decisions.
The first case examines recurring river flooding shaped by reservoir releases, coastal tides, and local topography. C. Rajadurai explains how flood modelling can be overlaid with critical assets to identify vulnerability and recovery time, helping facilities prioritise electrical systems, transformers, and other equipment for elevation, protective walls, or pumping.
The discussion then turns to extreme rainfall and water scarcity. Site-specific stormwater modelling can reveal whether ageing drainage networks remain adequate, while diverting roof runoff to groundwater recharge can reduce flooding without rebuilding the whole system. Diversifying supply through rainwater collection and treated municipal wastewater also reduces reliance on a single groundwater source and strengthens business continuity.
Guest quotes:
C. Rajadurai:
“Source diversification is not only a water management strategy; it is part of business resilience and the business continuity plan.”
C. Rajadurai:
“Climate risk assessment becomes valuable when findings reach engineering drawings and planning teams, translating risk into on-the-ground implementation.”
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beatrice (00:04.846)
Hello everyone and welcome to season three of Rethinking EHS, Global Goals Local Delivery and Energy Alliance podcast. My name is Beatrice Dedaro. I am Deputy Section Manager for EHS Services at HPC Italy, Global Water Work Group Lead at Energine Alliance and host of today's episode. Organizations all over the world are being increasingly impacted by water-related challenges, particularly as the effects of climate change intensify.
Leading to situations of either too much water or too little. In this bonus episode, we will explore three water-related challenges: recurring river flooding, extreme rainfall events, and water scarcity that are increasingly affecting the resilience of industrial facilities. Together with today's speaker, we will also look into opportunities, so opportunities to mitigate these risks, including flood risk assessments, effective stormwater and rainwater management.
And sourcing water from multiple sources to avoid overexploitation of single water systems. All these measures can help not only to reduce exposure to physical water risks, but also strengthen long-term resilience of facilities and ensure greater business continuity. I am very welcome to I'm very happy to welcome our session speaker, Raja from Chola MS Risk from India. Thank you so much, Raja, for being with me today.
RAJADURAI C (01:32.686)
Yeah, hi Beatrice. Thank you. Thanks for having me over here and you know, looking forward to having wonderful conversation on the climate action and also on the various case studies that we are be discussing across.
beatrice (01:45.644)
Staying from me, Raja. So, to start off, let's look at an industrial facility located in an area subjected to recurring river flooding. So, the flooding caused by upstream reservoir releases has led to ongoing operational disruptions, repeated insurance claims, and rising premiums due to the facility's high exposure to flood risk. So, Raja, how would you begin assessing a situation like this in case of a facility in the
Particular situation.
RAJADURAI C (02:16.867)
Yeah, if you look at across Beatrice, it's really, really very interesting case that came to us. So when we initially started looking at across, so it was an you know facility located in the river floodplain where the catchment area of the river is going to have a huge impact on the recurring floods. So which the industry was already, you know, started facing this for consecutive three to four years.
So the first thing we started is trying to understand the flooding mechanism, how it really happens and kind of things. And if you look at across the interesting part, is like you know, since the facility is located at the coastal area, so the time of release of the water from the you know reservoir really plays a critical role in terms of the tidal fluctuation that has from the seaside. So it was quite complex and but quite interesting.
So, where we have to, you know, understand the flooding mechanism. So, one is with respect to the upstream release and also the ocean dynamics, that's in terms of tidal fluctuation, which is going to uplift the water at the entire river. And also the topography of the facility, how it has been located. And over there, we were trying to do a few of the scientific modeling studies to generate the flood map.
But the interesting thing is like if you look at across generating this flood map is one part of the exercise. But when we try to look at the facility level overlay with various assets at the facility level, how the exposure, rather than saying being at you know, the flood level at the facility, main entrance one meter, at at the you know production block two meter, but we try to overlay with the critical equipment, especially to look how the exposure is being there.
And how this is impacting on their operational aspects. And there comes an interesting part when in our initial discussion, when we started discussing why you need to do this study and what triggered it across, it was quite interesting. you know, when they started saying that you know, we had year-on-year stoppage of the operation, so that was something which we were able to manage, but the moment insurers stopped saying, 'No, no more, I'm going to.
RAJADURAI C (04:40.879)
Do an insurance for your facility because every year there is a climb on the flooding related impacts, which climbs towards the damage to the infrastructure, and there is a huge payout. So I think so. Now premium is higher, and also certain exclusion comes into picture. So which actually triggers you know the industry to relook, yes, we need to have a holistic action towards the flood risk. So that's where we have you know done a modeling study.
And also you know, developed various flood thematic layers and overlaid with the assets at the facility and come up with various solutions like you know, upliftment and kind of things.
beatrice (05:25.549)
So how did you, for example, prioritize? You talked about the upliftment of equipment. So how did you prioritize, you know, what needs to be raised or, you know, what needs to be protected more than others? How how is that assist?
RAJADURAI C (05:39.642)
So if you look it across you know in terms of first and foremost thing is like critical equipment on the operational part of it. So for example, if you like it you know the electrical system, which is like panel rooms and also the transformers, which are going to have an impact which is not only going to stop the operation, but also the post resumption activity is going to be critical.
So we tried to you know categorize the vulnerability of the assets with respect to the flood level and what would be the recovery time. So that basically done in terms of prioritizing the critical equipment from the entire you know equipment inventory session. And over there also we try to look at across two aspects. One is you know wherever we can go with an you know mitigation measures. So rather than directly thinking of
beatrice (06:09.766)
Mm-hmm.
beatrice (06:21.797)
Mm-hmm.
RAJADURAI C (06:32.919)
you know relocating the equipment to different location where there might be a less risk or kind of thing, or there would be a possibility of adoption measures that we need to look it across. So here the both financial assessment say for example if I'm going to say you move your entire transformer and your panel board from this location of X to Y, it's not only the matter of relocation but also the entire associated PIA, know
Wiring systems and also the entire you know supply systems has to be completely relocated. So that is not going to be you know thing. And the second aspect is also the connectivity from there to the new system establishment is also quite critical. So that's where where comes you know in terms of upliftment and also the you know critical measures in terms of band wall creation to avoid the hydraulic load and also the pumping systems. These are all
various aspects that we try to explore with respect to prioritization as well as on the you know scaling rating aspects part of it.
beatrice (07:39.148)
Perfect. Thank you. Thank you for that, Raja. So let's look at the second scenario now, the other water-related challenge that I mentioned at the beginning. So we we're talking about extreme rainfall events that are out of the ordinary or are creating or exceeding any standard precipitation threshold in ranges. So the industrial facility in in question, the case study that you will talk about, experiences these events.
Repeatedly, right? So it continuously experiences these extreme rainfall events, causing flooding within the facility itself, but also bringing operations to a stop. So, Roger, what would be the first thing that you would, you know, determine and assess in a situation like this? You know, where you have a facility that is literally being stopped by by rainfall events?
RAJADURAI C (08:29.283)
Yeah so Beatrice over here you know this is the other classic case where I would you know highlight because the reason is the client has came to us saying that yes there is a repeated water logging. Yes, waterlogging is happening, but why it is happening? So now whenever we get a rain in last you know three years, so only this particular period of time, say it happens in you know
Late September to October, first week side of thing where you have a good amount of rainfall. So, where we had this kind of an incident. So, we started you know interacting more to understand like okay, this has happened last year. How about the last before year? What time frame it exactly happened? So, when we try to you know understand more about it, we found the you know interesting thing is like you know, whenever there is a rainfall above 100 mm, so whatever time period they have.
Told when we looked at across it's all above 100 mm of rainfall in an hour. So where it makes quite clear case that your existing infrastructure adequacy is a problem. So where the client was initially confused whether I want to do regional study or a site-specific study, it should be micro level or at the macro level. So when we had this, it's been very clear, okay, fine, it has to be at the site level.
beatrice (09:49.246)
Okay, clear.
RAJADURAI C (09:55.386)
So that's a infrastructure adequacy is the critical aspects that needs to be identified.
beatrice (10:00.394)
Course, because maybe the the site, the facilities was constructed, I don't know, maybe ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, with a certain, you know, normal precipitation range, which now is being completely exceeded exceeded. So you don't have the infrastructures anymore that can support that kind of that kind of flow. And I mean, Raja, when when you see a situation like this, like the case study that you just talked about, like how would you determine
whether the existing stormwater network, for example, is adequate for a facility, considering its current level of rainfall and runoff, which is not maybe the level that, you know, it historically was used to.
RAJADURAI C (10:42.095)
So if you locate across Beatrice over here, we basically focus the first thing is on the what is the carrying capacity of the existing infrastructure. So when we say carrying capacity, it's more about the design basis. So what is the design basis that has been taken for the you know infrastructure that has been developed? It is one in fifty year return period or one in hundred period return period. But the quite interesting part is like
beatrice (10:59.743)
Mm-hmm.
RAJADURAI C (11:10.829)
The facility was developed you know in nineteen fifties and sixties. So already we have been seventy years old. So during that period, which was one in fifty, now it's been one in hundred, one in ten, sorry. So that that makes you know the one in ten cycle, which was previously one in fifty, has made huge difference. What's the you know infrastructure is capable to take.
beatrice (11:23.752)
Yeah.
RAJADURAI C (11:37.05)
So that's where it comes, you know, intervention to upgrade your existing infrastructure aspects part of it. For which we actually used an you know software model to assess the adequacy of the internal network, so which we call as an SWMM, which is an US EPA approved software to assess the adequacy, and then we have taken it forward, specifically in terms of rainfall intensity, duration, and volume of runoff that would be generated.
beatrice (12:05.054)
So I mean, even for other facilities around the world, this has to be done, you know, this analysis, this assessment to ensure that, you know, the conditions, if they have changed, you are adequately mitigating any kind of risks that of course are now more tangible considering the new precipitation rates and and and rainfalls and extreme events that we are unfortunately experiencing. One point of one point of interest that I'm a bit curious about is
RAJADURAI C (12:10.019)
Yes.
RAJADURAI C (12:28.65)
Exactly.
beatrice (12:34.779)
You know, we talk a lot about rainwater, stormwater reuse. So how can facilities move from simply discharging or draining water away to actually reusing this water, which is a good component and I think a good method also of, you know, trying to bring it from one point to the other without creating any type of havoc or or disruptions?
RAJADURAI C (12:57.863)
Yeah, actually this was the exact approach that we tried to, you know, implement in the case which we were now currently discussing on the stormwater adequacy part of it. So what what you know let me tell you the interaction that I had with the client on that particular you know, recommendation finalization discussion. So when we asked, okay, you are having this issue.
And all your stormwater drain is currently you know, coming at one particular channel and that particular channel is not able to take. So we want to divert. So the first shock client was like, you want me to completely rebuild the entire stormwater structure? And you want to remove all the infrastructure? So that was like it's it's like, you know, you are asking me to do a complete removal of all the things and fit out the new. So that yeah, he was a bit shocked. So
beatrice (13:45.541)
Okay, he was a bit shocked. They were a bit shocked.
RAJADURAI C (13:50.276)
Where actually then we don't know, that's that's not we are telling you the problem, but the solution that we try to look it across is like no need to remove the drain, but rather than that, you divert the water which is going to this channel to the recharge structure to a dedicated pipeline so that you can share the load of that particular roof to that particular channel to the groundwater recharge. Actually, it's a win-win situation where you would be able to demonstrate.
beatrice (14:07.139)
Okay, yeah.
RAJADURAI C (14:20.003)
The recharge that you are directly able to improve your acquifier and also you are able to mitigate your business risk of, you know, flooding that has been happening across.
beatrice (14:31.256)
Absolutely. So instead of recycling it, you can actually recycle it in C2 for the groundwater itself. So not just an operation. That's that's a great solutions and alternative. And I'm sure the client was very much comforted by by this, let's say, second option that was, I'm sure, very, very feasible and very very successful.
beatrice (15:00.031)
okay. Okay.
beatrice (15:04.932)
Perfect.
Perfect. So I won't go for the follow up props. I'll just go to the section three and I'll do the intro and the question. Okay.
beatrice (15:22.477)
Thanks. It's always a pleasure talking to Roger. So I I didn't we don't have any trouble at all having that this chat.
beatrice (15:35.265)
Now let's look to the third and final scenario. So, our third case study, which is on water scarcity. The industrial facility in question is extremely dependent on water and relies heavily or almost entirely on a single groundwater source with no alternative water supply. So clearly, this creates a significant dependency and leaves a facility rather vulnerable if that source, of course, becomes unavailable. Roger, what should this facility?
consider doing to strengthen water security and build greater resilience against maybe potential overexploitation or depletion of the groundwater resources that they're using.
RAJADURAI C (16:16.663)
Mm. So, here here, you know, Beatrice specifically, I think you know, the broaden way to think about the climate risk is not only about the, you know, physical risk which we have in terms of flooding and also in terms of you know, cyclonic storm surge and kind of things, even water scarcity, which is going to be a chronic risk.
Is also one of the critical aspects that is come into picture in the operational and business continuity part of it. So where we this particular case where we had in terms of water scarcity issue and at the same time also the limited rainfall in that particular you know geographical location. So when the rest of the country receives a rainfall of around 1200 mm, but this was more specific to the you know rainfall of only
700 to 800 mm in a year. So that would be the you know specific case of this particular site when we discussed. And also evaluating the opportunity to diversify the water source where we were trying to look in terms of using rainwater through a collection pond system and also the exploring opportunity of treated wastewater from the municipal of the city.
So where it becomes a perfect combination of diversifying your water source rather than depending upon one particular you know, water source for your operation aspects part of it.
beatrice (17:51.245)
Because of course that makes you more vulnerable in case anything happens. So absolutely diversification and of course making sure that there is an understanding, right? On on how can I be more water secure in the future if you know something was to happen to my water source. Roger, let's
RAJADURAI C (18:08.131)
Yes, so in fact source diversification is therefore, you know, in this particular case not only considered as a water management strategy, but it is part of their business resilience strategy where they have included in the business continuity plan. So that makes more Yeah, exactly.
beatrice (18:16.021)
Mm-hmm.
beatrice (18:21.905)
there we go. Okay, it makes makes sense.
beatrice (18:27.367)
Roger, let's close with a quick final thought. Across these three case studies, these three scenarios that we talked about, so river flooding, extreme rainfall events, and groundwater scarcity, what is the most important shift an industrial facility can make to strengthen business continuity and water resilience?
RAJADURAI C (18:46.991)
So as far as you know I consider Beatrice is like climate risk assessment is an exercise. When it becomes more valuable is actually the the you know the climate science based risk assessment, what we do when it reaches to the engineering drawings of the industry and also the you know planning team of the industry.
Integrating the risk findings and also which helps the businesses to make the ultimate business decisions. Then it makes an holistic complete approach, not only just a risk assessment exercise, but translated to the actual on-ground implementation, which helps them to demonstrate the business resilience.
beatrice (19:34.291)
So an all rounder and a good integration between the two, let's say, the two parts, which is which is, you know, it's necessary if you want to make something which is complete and durable and long term.
RAJADURAI C (19:42.594)
Exactly.
RAJADURAI C (19:46.488)
Exactly.
beatrice (19:49.361)
A very special thank you to Raja for participating in this bonus episode. Thank you so much, Raja, for sharing your experience, your know-how, and it was it was lovely to have you. As we celebrate twenty as we celebrate twenty five years of the Energine Alliance, the series is a reflection of what makes our network unique global collaboration, local expertise, and a shared commitment to accelerate building a more resilient planet for all.
RAJADURAI C (20:00.824)
It wasn't.
beatrice (20:17.54)
If you enjoyed today's bonus episode, and I hope you did, be sure to follow the series on Spotify, YouTube, LinkedIn, Apple, and share it with friends, colleagues, contacts from across your network. Until next time, thank you for listening and for being part of a global EHS community working to turn knowledge into action.
beatrice (20:39.068)
Thank you guys. I I wasn't sure how to do the the final parts. Yeah, that was fine. you can okay.
beatrice (20:50.598)
Okay.
beatrice (21:01.764)
Building okay, building okay, let me write this down. Building
beatrice (21:10.064)
To accelerating, accelerating. I know, I was about to say don't tell Kate.
beatrice (21:21.986)
More resil we've said it so many times, I'm like I've r removed it from my my knowledge. And a shared commitment to accelerate a more resilient plan for all. There we go. Okay. Great.
beatrice (21:36.304)
Okay.
As we celebrate twenty five years of the Indogen Alliance, this series is the reflection of what makes our network unique global collaboration, local expertise, and a shared commitment to accelerate a more resilient planet for all.
beatrice (22:08.013)
As we celebrate 25 years of the Energine Alliance, this series is a reflection of what makes our network so unique. Global collaboration, local expertise, and a shared commitment to accelerate a more resilient planet for all. If you enjoyed today's bonus episode, and I hope you did, be sure to follow the series on Spotify, YouTube, LinkedIn, Apple and share it with friends, colleagues, contacts from across your network. Until next time, thank you for listening and for being part of our global EHS community working to turn knowledge.
into action.
beatrice (22:48.29)
Great.