BPSC-WEB Chat

Urban Floods & Heatwaves in Indian Cities Context: Delhi-NCR recently faced intense heat followed by heavy rain and urban flooding, showing how natural hazards turn into disasters because of poor urban planning. Why are Indian cities increasingly vulnerable? -Climate change: More intense heatwaves and extreme rainfall; urban centres can be 3–4°C hotter than surrounding areas. -Concretisation: Soil, vegetation and water bodies replaced by roads/buildings—> less infiltration + higher surface run-off. -Encroachment: Construction over lakes, wetlands, floodplains and natural drains reduces drainage capacity. -Urban Heat Island effect: Dense construction, asphalt, poor ventilation and declining tree cover trap heat, including at night. -Rapid urbanisation: India’s urban population may reach ~951 million by 2050; over half of the infrastructure needed by then is yet to be built. -Unequal vulnerability: Informal settlements, poorly ventilated homes and outdoor workers face disproportionate risks. Governance & institutional gaps —>Disaster Management Act, 2005- Section 41A (2025 amendment): enables states to constitute Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and municipal-corporation cities, except Delhi and Chandigarh. —>Fragmented responsibility among municipal corporations, district administrations and state departments. —>65% of India’s 7,933 urban settlements lacked a master plan (NITI Aayog, 2021); planning departments also face severe staff shortages. —>Disaster financing remains excessively relief-oriented rather than prevention/mitigation-oriented. Way Forward -Integrate disaster-risk reduction into master plans and everyday development approvals. -Protect/restore wetlands, lakes, floodplains, natural drains and urban green spaces; expand permeable surfaces. -Use flood maps to regulate construction and determine drainage capacity. -Use heat maps for shade, ventilation, tree cover and heat-resilient building standards. -Strengthen municipal techni