Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management, Topic: Disasters, Issue: Tackling flash floods.
Context:
Traditional flood preparedness follows the June–September monsoon calendar, but recent trends show erratic, intense, and unseasonal rainfall. Cities must adopt a climate-resilient, rainfall-based approach instead of outdated schedules.
Key Highlights:
Current Flood Challenges:
Changing Rainfall Patterns:
- Rise in short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events. For example, Delhi recorded 81 mm rainfall in few hours in May 2025. Data points out that 64% of Indian tehsils experienced heavy rainfall 15 days earlier than usual.
Drainage Infrastructure Gaps:
- Drainage systems designed for uniform monsoon, not sudden downpours. For example, overloaded drains are causing urban flooding in cities like Delhi, Gurugram, and Kolkata.
Unmanaged Waste:
- Plastic, debris, and litter choke stormwater drains. Lack of coordination between stormwater and sanitation departments further worsens clogging.
Consequences:
- Disruption of urban services such as transport, power, and water supply.
- Leads to loss of lives and property. For instance, India records damages of ₹8,700 crore annually due to floods.
- Disruption of industry and essential supply chains.
Steps to Prepare Cities:
Way Forward:
- Shift focus from monsoon calendar to rainfall patterns for preparedness.
- Build climate-resilient cities by integrating technology for real-time rainfall & flood monitoring).
- Adopt nature-based solutions such as urban wetlands, and permeable surfaces.
- Ensure public participation alongside institutional reforms.
Conclusion:
Urban flooding is not just a result of excess rain but of poor planning, outdated infrastructure, and unmanaged waste. Preparing Indian cities requires a rainfall-responsive, data-driven, and coordinated approach to safeguard lives, economy, and sustainability.
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