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Urban Floods in India
Context: Delhi is experiencing rapid urban expansion, often disregarding the natural topography and drainage capacity, making the city vulnerable to flooding during intense rainfall.
Background:
- India faces frequent hydrometeorological disasters, with floods impacting urban areas covering about 12% of the country’s land.
- Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad have suffered significant economic and infrastructure damage due to floods.
Urbanisation and Flood Risk in Delhi:
- Delhi’s rapid, unplanned urban growth has doubled its population since independence, leading to encroachment on natural drainage channels and urban lakes.
- Illegal construction and filling of water bodies have exacerbated flood vulnerabilities.
Introduction to Urban Floods
- Urban floods occur when cities are submerged by heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or storm surges, aggravated by inadequate drainage systems.
- Climate change intensifies these events globally and in Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
Causes of Urban Flooding:
- Encroachments on Drainage Channels: Development in low-lying areas without expanding natural drains reduces their capacity, increasing flood risks.
- Rainfall and Drainage: Varying rainfall intensities overwhelm outdated drainage systems, exacerbated by poor maintenance.
- Waste Management: Illegal construction on natural drains and improper waste disposal reduce drainage efficiency.
- Climate Change: More frequent and intense rainfall events overwhelm drainage systems. Urban heat islands intensify localised rainfall.
- Uninformed Dam Releases: Sudden releases from dams like Chembarambakkam Lake contributed to the 2015 Chennai floods.
- Illegal Mining: Depletes river and lake beds, reducing water retention capacity and increasing flood risks.
Implications of Urban Flooding:
- Loss of Life and Property: Fatalities, injuries, and infrastructure damage lead to significant economic losses.
- Environmental Impact: Erosion, loss of vegetation, and ecosystem degradation.
- Health Risks: Waterborne diseases spread through stagnant floodwaters.
- Psychological Impact: Emotional distress and long-term mental health effects due to displacement and loss.
Solutions for Urban Flooding:
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Prioritise green spaces, retention ponds, and permeable surfaces to manage stormwater effectively.
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Expand and maintain drainage systems, including natural drains and stormwater channels.
- Floodplain Management: Identify and map flood-prone areas, restrict construction, and enhance flood risk management strategies.
- Early Warning Systems: Improve alert systems to facilitate timely evacuation and precautionary measures.
Government Initiatives
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA), Amrit Sarovar Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana: Aim to improve water management and urban infrastructure resilience.
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0: Focuses on urban infrastructure upgrades.
- Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs): Provide guidelines for flood management by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Conclusion:
- In conclusion, addressing urban flooding in India requires comprehensive strategies integrating sustainable urban planning, upgraded infrastructure, and effective disaster management.
- Government initiatives and global best practices like sponge cities are crucial in mitigating urban flood impacts and enhancing urban resilience.
