UPSC Mains 2024 · GS III · Q18 · 15 marks · 250 words

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.

हिन्दी में

शहरी क्षेत्रों में बाढ़ एक उभरती हुई जलवायु-प्रेरित आपदा है। इस आपदा के कारणों की चर्चा कीजिए। पिछले दो दशकों में, भारत में आयी ऐसी दो प्रमुख बाढ़ों की विशेषताओं का उल्लेख कीजिए। भारत की उन नीतियों और ढाँचों का वर्णन कीजिए जिनका उद्देश्य ऐसी बाढ़ों से निपटना है।

Disaster ManagementDisaster Risk Reduction

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “State the reasons for the increasing instances of urban floods in India. Also, discuss the steps taken by the government to mitigate the urban flood risk in the country.”

Sayali Bhika Pagar399 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Urban floods is flooding that happens in urban area usually caused by excessive runoff in urban area due to overburdened drainage system & unregulated construction.

Recent instances of urban flooding seen in Delhi, Mumbai, & Bangalore 2023 has shown the lacking infrastructure capability of our cities.

Reasons for urban flooding are as follows:

I) Meteorological factors:

Body · points

  1. Southwest monsoon: Localised & concentrated rainfall. Eg: Mumbai 2005
  2. Northeast monsoon: frequent cyclones in middle of October. eg: Chennai 2015
  3. Depressions & Cyclones: heavy rainfalls & storms Eg: Hyderabad 2020
  4. Western disturbances: extra-tropical weather system. Eg: North Indian cities
  5. Thunderstorms & Cloudbursts: hilly areas

II) Anthropological Factors:

  1. Climate change: extreme weather condition

  2. Improper drainage system: Lack of proper drainage system, silting in the drainages

  3. Land use pattern: urbanisation - cement pavement no place for rainwater percolation.

  4. Occupation of flood plains: low lying areas are prone for more flooding

  5. Urban Heat Island effect: localised rainfall

  6. Improper disposal of garbage - leading to clogging of drains

III] Hydrological Factors

  1. Surface run off
  2. Ground water level prior to storm
  3. Natural surface infiltration rate
  4. Synchronization of various runoffs from various parts of watershed.

STEPS Taken by Govt to mitigate urban floods

  1. NDMA guidelines for urban floods released 2005 to tackle the issue of urban flooding
  2. Sponge Cities Mission: Nature-based solution to distribute water better & improve drainage & storage. Using permeable asphalt, new canals, restoration of wetlands to ease waterlogging issues
  3. AMRUT Mission: Atal mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation: city planning - green infrastructure - green roofs, rain gardens, rain water harvesting systems.
  4. Rejuvenation & Restoration of lakes, wetlands → help in preventing waterlogging

Eg: In cities like Bangalore - Bellandur, Ulsoor lakes. Thane creek in Mumbai.

  1. Nature Based Solution: Blue-green infrastructure to tackle drainage issues. Eg: Bhopal's green blue master plan, Delhi's Master plan 2041, Pune's urban Agriculture plan.

  2. Education & Awareness to general public to tackle such situation.

  3. Early Warning systems - to understand & plan preparedness for any untoward event.

  • Indian history of Indus Valley Civilisation has given history of well planned cities & proper drainage system → thus acting as a role model for our cities about importance of proper drainage.

Close · a way forward

⇒ working on these lines will help ensure the issues of rapid urbanisation, waterlogging, prevent loss of life.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper III, Q18. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.