Q. 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.

Model Answer:

Urban flooding

Urban flooding is an escalating climate-induced disaster, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and changing weather patterns. The primary causes include:

• Rapid urbanization leading to loss of permeable surfaces and natural drainage
• Inadequate or outdated drainage systems unable to cope with increased water volume
• Encroachment on natural water bodies, reducing flood absorption capacity
• Climate change-induced intense rainfall events
• Poor urban planning and insufficient infrastructure development

Two major urban floods in India in the last two decades exemplify the severity of this issue:

1. Mumbai Floods, 2005:
– Unprecedented rainfall of 944 mm in 24 hours overwhelmed the city’s drainage system
– Inadequate infrastructure and unplanned development exacerbated the situation
– Resulted in over 1000 deaths and economic losses exceeding $2 billion
– Exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s financial capital to extreme weather events

2. Chennai Floods, 2015:
– Triggered by heavy northeast monsoon rains
– Uncontrolled urbanization and encroachment of water bodies reduced natural drainage
– Failure of urban infrastructure, including breaches in lakes and reservoirs
– Caused over 400 deaths and economic damage of around $3 billion

To address urban flooding, India has implemented several policies and frameworks:

• National Disaster Management Plan 2019: Provides a comprehensive approach to flood management, including urban floods
• Urban Flood Management in a Changing Climate (2015): Guidelines by the Ministry of Urban Development for flood-resilient urban planning
• National Urban Sanitation Policy: Addresses drainage issues as part of overall urban sanitation
• Smart Cities Mission: Incorporates flood resilience in urban development projects
• State-level policies: Many states have developed specific urban flood management strategies

Conclusion: Effective urban flood management requires integrated approaches combining robust policies, improved infrastructure, and active community participation to enhance resilience.