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. (UPSC GS 3 2024/ 15 Marks)

Introduction:

Flooding in urban areas is becoming an increasingly common disaster as a result of climate change. The combination of more intense rainfall events and inadequate infrastructure in cities is leading to devastating flooding incidents.

Flooding in Urban Areas: An Emerging Climate-Induced Disaster

• Increased Frequency: Urban flooding has become more frequent due to climate change, urbanization, and improper drainage systems in cities.
• High Intensity Rainfall: Climate change has led to more erratic and intense rainfall patterns, which urban infrastructure often cannot handle, leading to flash floods.
• Impact on Cities: Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad are increasingly vulnerable to flooding due to poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure.

Causes of Urban Flooding

• Rapid Urbanization: Urban sprawl often leads to the reduction of natural drainage systems such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which are replaced by concrete surfaces.
• Poor Drainage Systems: Many cities lack sufficient drainage systems to cope with the volume of rainwater during heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging and flooding.
• Encroachment on Water Bodies: Illegal construction and encroachment on water bodies have reduced their capacity to absorb excess rainwater.
• Deforestation: The removal of trees and green spaces reduces the land’s natural water absorption capacity, increasing runoff into city streets.
• Climate Change: Extreme weather events, such as cloudbursts and heavy downpours, are becoming more frequent due to global warming.

Features of Two Major Floods in India

• Chennai Floods (2015)
  
  • Causes: Excessive rainfall (approximately 300mm in a single day), encroachment on wetlands, and failure of drainage systems led to severe flooding.
  • Impact: It affected 1.8 million people, claimed over 500 lives, and caused losses amounting to ₹20,000 crore.
  • Response: Rescue and relief operations were slow due to the scale of the disaster. The floods highlighted the lack of urban preparedness.
• Kerala Floods (2018)
  
  • Causes: Unprecedented rainfall during monsoons, deforestation, poor dam management, and unregulated construction in flood-prone areas.
  • Impact: Over 400 lives lost, 5.4 million affected, and economic losses exceeded ₹30,000 crore.
  • Response: The state government, along with the Indian Army and local communities, worked extensively in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Policies and Frameworks to Tackle Urban Flooding in India

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines
  
  • Urban Flooding Guidelines (2010): Focuses on improving drainage systems, enhancing early warning systems, and promoting sustainable urban planning.
  • Drainage Master Plans: Cities are required to develop drainage master plans for effective stormwater management.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
  
  • Objective: Improve urban infrastructure, particularly water supply, sewage systems, and drainage to reduce urban flooding.
• National Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Project
  
  • Flood Zoning and Management: Focuses on mapping flood-prone areas and regulating construction in high-risk zones.
  • Flood Preparedness: Establishment of early warning systems, capacity building, and community awareness programs.
• Smart City Mission
  
  • Sustainable Urban Planning: Includes initiatives to improve green infrastructure, promote water-sensitive urban design, and use technology for real-time flood management.

Conclusion:

Flooding in urban areas is a growing concern as a result of climate change, with more intense rainfall events and inadequate infrastructure contributing to the problem. By implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies, cities can better prepare for and respond to flooding events, reducing the impacts on residents and the local economy.