Q.17 Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.(CSE Mains 2016)GS-I 2016

Q.17 Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.(CSE Mains 2016)GS-I 2016

       India has been urbanizing rapidly increasing population and needs have caused significant stress of these resources.

Despite the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) allotted pivotal role in development of Indian cities by 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, they have not performed well. Urban land use has been criticized for encroachments on water bodies and unsustainable profiteering.

Floods have become rampant in Indian cities, recent ones in Chennai, Srinagar, causing distress and suffering.

Major causes:

• Encroachment of water bodies and Wetlands
• Blockage of natural drainage and clogging of drains.
• Land diversion – Green spaces are treated as commercially unproductive
• Urban heat island effect causes increased precipitation. Also, Particulate matter and  aerosols act as condensation nuclei and increase precipitation.
• Lack of water percolation into ground due to increased concretization and   pollution leading to increased run- offs.
• Destruction of and degradation of wetlands has  caused,

1. Increased floods
2. Decreased ground water recharge.

Remedies:-

• Regulation of Urban Land Use.
• Desilting and Maintenance
• Awareness and Education of  officials as well as citizens
• Include green spaces in construction plan and regulate concretization.
• Recognize and Map water bodies and provide protection to them.   
• Implement Ramsar convention in letter and spirit.