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250 Words15 Marks
Q.Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (250 words, 15 marks)
UPSC Mains 2020•Society
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmIntroduction
Urban flooding has emerged as a recurrent and severe crisis in India, affecting major metropolitan areas and even designated "smart cities" like Hyderabad and Pune. Studies indicate that over half of India's smart cities are highly vulnerable to flood events.
Body Analysis
Primary Causes of Urban Flooding
- Inadequate Drainage Infrastructure: Major cities like Hyderabad and Mumbai rely on century-old drainage systems that cover only a small fraction of the core urban area and are ill-equipped for heavy downpours.
- Altered Topography: Unplanned construction by developers and public agencies has flattened natural terrains and blocked natural drainage pathways, causing irreversible hydrological damage.
- Reduced Ground Seepage: The rapid expansion of concrete surfaces and non-porous building materials prevents rainwater from percolating into the ground, leading to immediate surface runoff.
- Weak Enforcement: Although regulations like Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) mandate rainwater harvesting and sustainable urban drainage systems, compliance and enforcement remain extremely weak.
Remedial Measures
- Sponge Cities: Developing urban areas designed to absorb, store, and filter rainwater.
- Green Infrastructure: Promoting green roofs and rooftop gardens to capture rain at the source.
- Floodplains Preservation: Restoring and protecting natural river floodplains and overflow zones.
- Permeable Pavements: Installing sustainable drainage systems, including permeable sidewalks and urban gardens.
- Integrated Planning: Implementing robust rainwater management plans and upgrading flood warning systems.
- Climate Resilience: Aligning urban development with climate change adaptation strategies and the Paris Agreement.
Conclusion
Recurrent urban floods are primarily a consequence of fragmented urban planning and poor coordination among municipal bodies. Addressing this requires urgent, coordinated action through public-private partnerships to build resilient urban infrastructure.