Urban Flooding, Why Are Indian Cities Never Prepared For The Monsoon?

Various Indian cities are experiencing severe flooding, highlighting systemic issues in urban planning and drainage infrastructure. 

About Urban Flooding

• Refers: It is the flooding of land or property in a built environment, especially in densely populated cities where rainfall exceeds drainage systems’ capacity.
• Concerning Data: As per the data from the government, over 17,000 people died due to floods and heavy rains in India between 2012 and 2021. 

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Arising Concerns

• Ancient and medieval civilisations had their ways of channeling water – the hydrological acumen of the Indus Valley cities is well-known. But in modern times, the issue of urban flooding is concerning. 
• The runoff has scarcely any outlet. It accumulates in low-lying areas, inundating roads, underpasses, houses, offices, railway tracks, basements. Urban India, it is increasingly becoming evident, cannot deal with short but intense spells of rainfall, one of the hallmarks of climate change.

Various Recent Examples

• Delhi: This year, several parts of Delhi have been submerged for more than one day.
  • Recently, a 26-year-old civil services aspirant was electrocuted in an inundated street in the national capital, and the National Human Rights Commission has asked for a detailed report on the incident.
• Assam: Guwahati, Assam has faced a crippling flood.
• Maharashtra: Torrential rains brought lives to a standstill in several parts of Maharashtra, including Pune and Mumbai. 
  • In Pune, three people lost their lives after receiving an electric shock in a waterlogged part of the city.
  • Similarity in All Cases: All these cities have distinct geographical features. However, there are at least three things that are common to their flood-related woes: 
  • Outdated Drainage Systems: It cannot take the stress of more than normal rainfall
  • Poor Planning: Planning that does not account for local hydrology 
  • Limited Civic Response: The role of civic agencies seems limited to organizing relief and rescue

Need to Follow the Concept of Sponge Cities

• Sponge cities can solve the problem of urban flooding as well as scarcity of water during the summer season. 
• It is a new urban planning model in China that emphasizes flood management via strengthening green infrastructures instead of purely relying on drainage systems.
• It is a type of city which is designed in such a way that it acts like a sponge for rainwater. The water is absorbed and allowed to naturally filter through the soil to reach the aquifers. The aquifer recharge helps fulfill the water needs of the city.
• It has contiguous open green spaces, interconnected waterways, and channels and ponds across neighborhoods to naturally detain and filter water. 

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