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.
Urban flooding has emerged as a grave climate-induced disaster in India, driven by a cocktail of meteorological and anthropogenic factors. Climate change exacerbates the problem by causing more frequent and intense spells of rainfall, often leading to cloudburst-like events that overwhelm urban drainage capacities. Simultaneously, unplanned and rapid urbanization, characterized by concretization, encroachment on natural drainage paths (like wetlands, rivers, and lakes), and the choking of storm drains by solid waste, severely reduces the ground's ability to absorb water and restricts water flow. Inadequate and aging drainage infrastructure further compounds the issue, failing to cope with sudden, heavy downpours.
Two devastating examples from the last two decades highlight this:
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Mumbai Floods (2005): Witnessed unprecedented rainfall (over 944 mm in 24 hours). The city's poor drainage system, coupled with high tide and the choked Mithi River, led to widespread inundation, massive disruption, and significant loss of life.
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Chennai Floods (2015): Resulted from unusually heavy monsoon rains combined with unregulated release from reservoirs and rampant encroachment on traditional water bodies and floodplains. This led to prolonged waterlogging and severe economic losses.
India's policy framework to tackle urban floods has evolved. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010) provide a comprehensive framework for prevention, mitigation, and response, emphasizing integrated urban water management, real-time weather forecasting, and improved drainage. Schemes like the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) implicitly address urban flooding by focusing on resilient urban infrastructure, including storm water drainage, and promoting sustainable urban planning. Efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan also encourage rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, which indirectly aids in managing surface runoff. However, effective implementation, stricter enforcement against encroachments, and a shift towards nature-based solutions remain critical for building truly flood-resilient cities.
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Important Questions from GS3
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