Why Do Indian Cities Get Flooded Every Year?

Rain is a blessing. It waters farms, replenishes water reserves, and fuels our economy. But when the water is more than what the ground can absorb, it causes a flood. This year, monsoon arrived eight days early in India, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years. The most affected cities include Mumbai, the financial capital, and Bangalore, the IT hub of India. But why are these big cities affected so adversely by the rain, especially when drainage systems are present?

Growing cities mean more concrete area. The natural ground has been replaced with cemented pavements and asphalt roads. With the lakes and wetlands built over, the water absorption capacity of the ground has decreased, causing flash floods. This causes a ‘high deficit, high rainfall’ situation in big cities. Uprooted trees, power outages, waterlogged streets, collapsed infrastructure, hospitals and railway stations flooded, and people in knee-deep water during the monsoon. And water shortage for the rest of the year.

Source – https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/waterlogging-persisting-for-about-an-hour-after-rain-normal-says-delhi-cm-101750270482964.html

Why Is There Water Shortage Despite Sufficient Rainfall in Big Cities?

Source- https://gokulamseekias.com/prelims-c-a/geography/delhi-floods/

The focus of urban design was to create efficient housing, industries, and a fast-growing economy. This helped raise GDP and improve the standard of living, but has caused failures in urban planning and environmental oversight. Concrete replaced soil, grass, and floodplains. This change broke the natural water cycle leading to reduced groundwater levels. Even though the city is flooded with water for much of the year, people still struggle to find clean water.

How Well Are The Drainage Systems Working?

Paved roads can be made porous with effective drainage systems. But drainage systems in India are impacted by yet another environmental concern: unethical waste disposal. People use plastic in their daily lives, from products to their packaging to the plastic bags they use to carry them. When this plastic is disposed of on roadsides, it ends up in the drainage system. The plastic clogged drainage systems cannot handle the large amount of rainwater. In fact, the overflowing gutters mix with floodwater, contaminating it with sewage. The polluted water enters houses and hospitals, making living unhygienic. After stagnation, it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, causing dangerous diseases and worsening the condition.

Source – https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/breach-in-barapullah-drain-wall-led-to-south-new-delhi-flooding-9421799/

Here's a Solution

Inappropriate development has put a halt to the city rush during the monsoon. Infrastructure doesn’t have to go against nature but rather learn from it and integrate it. As the conditions worsen and environmental awareness rises, a holistic approach to solving the issue is crucial. The solution goes beyond temporary fixes like cleaning drains. Cities can be made nature-friendly by combining grey and green infrastructure. We should create more green spaces, modernize drainage systems, implement proper waste management, and use permeable pavements for roads. This will allow the rainwater to seep into the ground, preventing floods and recharging groundwater. The balance of nature must be maintained. Unnatural flooding should serve as a wake-up call for us to change our lifestyles and make urban grounds more breathable.

About the Author

Jiya Bhandari

She is a student at Indraprastha College for Women who has a deep passion for the environment and loves to grow houseplants.