Urban floods.

The recent floods in Bengaluru have paralysed the city’s tech spine and adversely affected people.

The adverse weather phenomena that bring a city to its knees are becoming increasingly common in India.

The urban floods have played out in Delhi (2013, 2021), Mumbai (2005, 2017), Chennai (2015, 2021), and Hyderabad (2020).

Climate change:
- Climate change and associated issues, such as frequent cloud bursts, lead to urban flooding.
- The lack of climate mitigation measures in urban areas amplifies the worst situation.
Uncontrolled urban sprawl:
- Urban sprawl is spreading urban developments on undeveloped land near a city.
- The Uncontrolled urban sprawl is unlikely to mitigate the extreme climatic events.
The absence of a master plan:
- Across India, 65% of urban settlements do not have a master plan. Moreover, where these exist, they usually do not address environmental protection issues or talk of climate change mitigation.
Lack of statutory backing:
- While some city administrations have developed drainage/flood mitigation plans, these do not have statutory backing, such as a master plan.
Lack of civic consultations:
- Due to the lack of civic consultation while drafting a master plan, authorities could not understand the needs and wants of the stakeholders.
Increased urbanisation:
- It has reduced the ability of the land to absorb rainfall through the introduction of hard impermeable surfaces.
- This increases the volume and rate of surface run-off as less water infiltrates the ground.
Unscientific waste disposal:
- Unscientific waste disposal blocks drainage water flows. It also leads to urban floods.

The social and human costs:
- The social and human costs almost always disproportionately affect the poorer sections of society as they tend to live in the more environmentally vulnerable areas.
Ecological Impacts:
- Trees and plants are washed away during extreme flood events, and river bank erosion is caused by high-speed flood water.
Economic impact:
- The urban flood-like situation standstill almost all economic activities. Vehicles can not pass quickly, and an internet connection would disrupt.
Psychological Impacts:
- Loss of shelter and relatives creates emotional turmoil in the mental health of the stranded.

Flood Management and Border Areas Programme:
- Under the Programme, central assistance was provided to State Governments for taking up works related to river management, flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, floodproofing, restoration of damaged flood management works and anti-sea erosion.
National Hydrology Project:
- It was started in 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with a 100% grant to implementing agencies on pan India basis.
- It is an initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and is supported by the World Bank.
IFLOWS System:
- It is a state of art Integrated Flood warning system to enhance the resilience of cities by providing early warning for flooding, especially during high rainfall events and cyclones.
National water policy:
- It was formulated by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to take cognisance of the existing flood situation and to propose a plan of action from the national perspective.

An anti-encroachment drive:
- These are, at best piecemeal solutions to systemic problems stemming from a lack of climate consciousness in the planning process.
- Demolition of illegal constructions and eviction of unlawful settlements.
Statutory backing:
- Creation of a comprehensive climate action plan for all key Indian cities and giving these plans statutory backing by bringing them within the ambit of the city’s master plan.
Institutionalise processes:
- While preparing city plans, the process should be institutionalised, such as public consultation during the plan preparation process.
The environmental protection agency:
- There is a need for an environmental protection agency to tackle issues related to climate change proactively.
Blue-Green Infrastructure:
- Developing Blue Green Infrastructure effectively provides a sustainable natural solution to urban and climatic challenges.
  - Blue indicates water bodies such as rivers and tanks.
  - Green indicates trees, parks, and gardens.
Flood vulnerability Mapping:
- Identifying the vulnerable areas can be done by analysing topography and historical data of inundations at the city level.
Institutional Arrangements:
- Forming a unified flood control implementing agency at the city level is essential, including city administrative officials, doctors, police, firefighters, NGOs, and other emergency services providers.

Pic Courtesy: The Economic Times

Content Source: The Hindu