Q18. Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (15M)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Introduction
Flooding in urban areas is an increasingly frequent climate-induced disaster in India, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, poor planning, and extreme weather events driven by climate change. Urban floods cause significant economic losses, disrupt infrastructure, and lead to loss of life and property.
Causes of urban flooding
• Extreme Rainfall Events: Climate change has led to more frequent and intense rainfall, overwhelming drainage systems in cities.
E.g., Mumbai experienced record rainfall in 2019, causing massive flooding (Source: IMD).
• Poor Urban Planning: Unplanned urban expansion and encroachment on natural water bodies hinder natural drainage, increasing flood risks.
E.g., Chennai’s flood in 2015 was partly due to encroachments on lakes and wetlands (Source: CAG report).
• Inadequate Drainage Systems: Outdated and undersized drainage infrastructure fails to handle excessive water discharge.
E.g., Bengaluru faced severe flooding in 2022 due to clogged stormwater drains (Source: BBMP).
• Loss of Green Cover and Wetlands: Urbanization leads to the destruction of natural flood buffers like wetlands and forests, reducing water absorption capacity.
E.g., Hyderabad’s shrinking lakes contributed to its 2020 flood (Source: Hyderabad Urban Lab).
• Increased Paved Surfaces: Large-scale paving in urban areas reduces groundwater recharge and causes surface runoff, worsening flood situations.
E.g., Kochi’s flood situation worsened in 2018 due to excessive concretization (Source: Kerala State Disaster Management Authority).
Major Urban Floods in India (Last Two Decades)
• Mumbai Floods (2005) Cause: Record rainfall of 944 mm in 24 hours, compounded by poor drainage systems and blocked waterways. Impact: Over 1,000 deaths, severe infrastructure damage, and economic losses exceeding ₹4500 crore.
• Cause: Record rainfall of 944 mm in 24 hours, compounded by poor drainage systems and blocked waterways.
• Impact: Over 1,000 deaths, severe infrastructure damage, and economic losses exceeding ₹4500 crore.
E.g., Reported by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
• Bengaluru Floods (2022)
• Cause: Excessive rainfall and inadequate drainage, exacerbated by unchecked urbanization and encroachment on lakes and stormwater drains. Impact: Severe waterlogging in key areas, displacement of people, and infrastructure damage amounting to ₹225 crore.
• Cause: Excessive rainfall and inadequate drainage, exacerbated by unchecked urbanization and encroachment on lakes and stormwater drains.
• Impact: Severe waterlogging in key areas, displacement of people, and infrastructure damage amounting to ₹225 crore.
E.g., Reported by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2022.
Policies and frameworks in india to tackle urban flooding
• National Disaster Management Guidelines (2010): Issued by the NDMA for urban flooding, emphasizing proper drainage planning, risk assessment, and early warning systems.
E.g., NDMA issued guidelines for improving urban flood resilience (Source: NDMA 2010).
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Focuses on improving urban infrastructure, including stormwater drainage and rainwater harvesting.
E.g., AMRUT’s budget in 2022-23 included ₹1 lakh crore for infrastructure development (Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs).
• Smart Cities Mission (2015): Promotes the creation of sustainable cities through efficient urban planning, including flood mitigation strategies.
E.g., Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront project reduced urban flood risks (Source: Smart Cities Mission 2022 Report).
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): Aims to address flood risks in coastal cities through sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
E.g., Implemented in Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal to reduce coastal flood risks (Source: World Bank).
• Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP): Focuses on river and coastal flood management, drainage improvement, and embankment construction.
E.g., FMBAP was allocated ₹3,342 crore for 2021-26 to address urban flooding (Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti).
Conclusion
Urban flooding is a growing climate-induced disaster, and with increasing urbanization, the need for resilient urban infrastructure is paramount. Policies and frameworks like the NDMA guidelines and AMRUT must be strengthened with climate-resilient solutions, green infrastructure, and community participation to ensure sustainable urban growth and flood mitigation in the future.