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Context:

Gurugram’s flooding and infrastructure concern originates from a rural mindset prioritizing private gain over public welfare.

Why do flooding keep happening in a modern city like Gurgaon?

 Two key reasons are "Rural State of Mind" and a "Lack of Publicness" in urban planning and governance.

What does "Rural State of Mind" mean? => Planning and maintenance of essential services like drainage systems still depend on outdated, informal, or insufficient methods, leading to annual flooding. 

What does "Lack of Publicness" mean in an urban environment? => It means people focus only on their immediate circles, like "family, caste, or class." 

• When "private benefit is prioritized over public welfare," civic bodies might not invest enough in shared infrastructure like storm drains, or they might allow unapproved construction that blocks natural water flow. Officials might not feel a strong responsibility to the general public.   

URBAN FLOODING IN INDIA

What is Urban Flooding?

It occurs when a city receives heavy rainfall, and its drainage system cannot handle this, resulting in parts of or even the entire city to become submerged under water 

Why Do Indian Cities Flood So Much?  

Rapid and Unplanned Urbanization => Developers build over natural areas like floodplains and wetlands, which naturally absorb rainwater. 

• For example, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, highlighted that Bengaluru has lost about 80% of its lakes due to construction and development. Historically, Bengaluru had 1,452 lakes, but now it only has around 216, which reduces its ability to hold water.

Poor Drainage Systems => Old drainage systems built decades ago, get blocked by garbage, plastic, and debris because of improper waste disposal. When drains clog, water backs up, leading to waterlogging and flooding.

Climate Change =>  Global warming changes weather patterns, leading to more intense rainfall events over shorter periods. For example, Chennai experienced its highest November rainfall in a century in 2023. The Urban Heat Island effect also contributes to increased rainfall over urban areas.

Loss of Natural Water Bodies and Green Spaces  =>  Over decades, cities have lost a huge number of their natural water bodies, when they are destroyed or encroached upon.

• A study by the National Institute of Urban Affairs found that major Indian cities have lost 70-80% of their water bodies over the last 40 years. Guwahati's largest wetland, Deepor Beel, has shrunk by 50% since the 1990s due to unchecked urbanization and dumping. This loss directly reduces the city's natural flood protection.

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What Happens When Cities Flood?  

• Loss of Lives => People can get trapped in submerged areas or swept away by strong currents, leading to fatalities and injuries. Between 2012 and 2021, over 17,000 people died in India due to floods and heavy rains, as per the data shared by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti.
• Damage to Infrastructure => Floodwaters cause extensive damage, resulting in financial losses for individuals and governments. The 2005 Mumbai floods, for example, caused an estimated $100 million in commercial losses.
• Health Risks => Stagnant floodwater becomes a breeding ground for diseases like malaria, dengue, and cholera, increasing the risk of infections and affecting public health.

What is India Doing About Flood Control? 

Flood Control: Whose Responsibility?

• The Indian Constitution, under its 12th Schedule, states that urban planning, land use regulation, and building construction are the responsibility of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities. 
• Flood control measures and drainage plans fall under the purview of State Governments and ULBs at the city level.  

National Guidelines for Urban Flooding => The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) created guidelines to focus on preparing for floods before they happen and taking steps to reduce their impact.

"Sponge City" Concepts => Inspired by initiatives in countries like China, India explores the "Sponge City" concept. This idea focuses on making cities absorb more water naturally, using methods like: Green Infrastructure, Restoring Water Bodies, Rainwater Harvesting, Better Solid Waste Management.

What is the Way Forward to address urban flooding?

Controlling Unplanned Construction => Building rules and city plans should strictly control construction, especially in areas that are natural flood paths or low-lying zones.

Modernizing Drainage Systems => Building wider, deeper, and better-connected stormwater drains that can handle intense rainfall. Regular maintenance, like desilting (removing accumulated mud and debris) and clearing blockages.

Building Water Storage => For low-lying areas or places that receive heavy rainfall, cities can build large underground tanks or reservoirs to temporarily store excess water.  

Promoting Local Initiatives => Local community groups can organize clean-up drives for their immediate areas, participate in tree-planting initiatives that help absorb water, or even get involved in maintaining local parks and green spaces that contribute to flood resilience.

Climate Change Adaptation => Cities must adapt their infrastructure and planning to handle these new realities, building systems that can withstand future, more intense weather.

Stronger Governance => Effective urban flood management requires strong, accountable city governments with enough funding and trained staff to implement plans, maintain infrastructure, and enforce regulations. 

Must Read Articles: 

INDIA'S URBAN GROWTH DRIVERS

URBAN GROWTH IN INDIAN HIMALAYAN RANGE (IHR)

FLOOD PLAIN ZONING AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR MANAGING FLOODS

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Source: INDIAN EXPRESS