High-Level Committee (HLC) launched projects to tackle Urban Flooding

Posted 30 Jul 2024

2 min read

HLC, chaired by Union Home Minister, approved six projects of five states (Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra) for urban flood management.

About Urban Floods

It refers to rapid rise of floodwaters in urban areas due to limited infiltration and heavy rainfall events.
Management of urban floods falls under the purview of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies/Urban Development Authorities, responsible for maintaining drainage and sewerage system in cities/towns.

Factors Causing Urban Floods

Meteorological Factors: Unprecedented Rainfall (944 mm in 24 hours, Mumbai floods 2005); Cyclonic Storms (Hyderabad floods 2020); Global warming (Snowfall, snowmelt and sea level rise) etc.
Hydrological Factors: Change in course of rivers; Landslides and soil erosion; Presence/absence of overbank flow and High tide impeding drainage; etc.
Human factors: Rapid rate of urbanization and deforestation; Lack of maintenance of infrastructure and drainage channels; Unplanned release of water from dams/lakes (Chennai Floods 2015 –water released from Chembarampakkam lake) etc.

Impact of Urban Floods:

Structural damage to buildings, Loss of lives and property, disruption in transport, power and incidence of epidemic (dengue, malaria, chikungunya) etc.

Steps taken by India to prevent Urban Floods

State Initiatives: Chennai Flood Warning System; Flood forecasting and early warning system for Kolkata City.
AMRUT Mission: Under it, Storm water drainage component involves construction and improvement of drains/ storm water drains to reduce/eliminate flooding.
Standard Operating Procedure for Urban Flooding by Ministry of Urban Development.
NDMA guidelines: Hazard Risk Zoning and Mapping; Establishment of comprehensive Urban Flood Disaster Management Information System; address urban flooding as separate disaster (constituted Separate Urban Flooding Cell at national/state level) etc.