Q.15 Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures.

Model Answer:

Introduction

Urban flooding in Indian cities like Hyderabad and Pune has become a recurrent issue, causing significant damage to infrastructure, property, and lives. Notable incidents include the 2020 Hyderabad floods and the 2019 Pune floods, which resulted in substantial economic losses and displacement of residents.

Body

Major Causes:

• Heavy Rainfall: Unprecedented and intense rainfall events, often exacerbated by climate change, overwhelm the existing drainage systems.
• Rapid Urbanisation: Unplanned and hasty urban expansion has led to inadequate drainage infrastructure, unable to cope with the increased water runoff.
• Encroachment of Water Bodies: Construction on floodplains and encroachment of lakes, rivers, and wetlands reduce the natural absorption and drainage capacity.
• Poor Drainage Systems: Outdated and poorly maintained drainage systems fail to handle the volume of water during heavy rains.
• Deforestation: Loss of green cover in urban areas reduces the natural absorption of rainwater, increasing surface runoff.

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Deficiencies in Current Arrangements:

• Improper Drainage Infrastructure: Many cities lack modern, efficient drainage systems capable of handling heavy rainfall.
• Lack of Urban Planning: Inadequate urban planning and zoning regulations lead to construction in vulnerable areas.
• Unregulated Construction: Unauthorised and unregulated construction activities obstruct natural water flow and drainage channels.

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Remedial Measures:

• Improvement of Drainage Infrastructure: Upgrading and expanding the drainage network to handle higher volumes of water.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of non-encroachment of water bodies and sustainable urban practices.
• Urban Planning Compliance: Ensuring strict adherence to urban planning guidelines and timely implementation of flood management plans.

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Role of Technology:

• IoT-Based Rainwater Management: Implementing smart sensors and IoT devices to monitor and manage rainwater effectively.
• Early Warning Systems: Developing advanced early warning systems for heavy rainfall to alert residents and authorities in advance.
• GIS Mapping: Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for better urban planning and identifying flood-prone areas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the increased incidents of urban flooding in cities like Hyderabad and Pune are largely due to man-made reasons such as rapid urbanisation, poor planning, and encroachment of natural water bodies. Effective governance, coupled with public awareness and the integration of technology, is crucial in devising lasting solutions to mitigate urban flooding.

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