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Current AffairsPolityPIBboth

Urban Flooding and Landslides in Indian Cities: Government Response

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

Disaster ManagementPolityIRGovernance

Why in news

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about measures to address urban flooding and landslides in several cities. This comes amid increasing instances of intense short-duration rainfall causing urban floods, exacerbated by unplanned development and encroachment on natural water bodies.

Background

Urban flooding is a state subject, with primary responsibility resting on state governments and urban local bodies. The central government provides financial and technical support through schemes and advisories.

Key facts

in5points

  1. Urban flooding is primarily caused by intense short-duration rainfall, worsened by unplanned development, encroachment on natural water bodies, inadequate sewerage, and poor drainage.

  2. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has published several guidelines: URDPFI Guidelines 2014, SOP for Urban Floods (2021), River-Centric Urban Planning Guidelines (2021), Rainwater Harvesting Parks Guide, and Storm Water Drainage Manual.

  3. Under AMRUT (2015), 838 storm water drainage projects worth ₹3,022.39 crore and 2,522 green area/park projects worth ₹1,604.13 crore were initiated, developing 5,400 acres of permeable green area.

  4. Under AMRUT 2.0, 2,951 water body rejuvenation projects (₹6,003.34 crore, covering ~1.21 lakh acres) and 1,649 green area/park projects (₹1,087.12 crore, covering ~12,750 acres) were approved.

  5. AMRUT also includes sewerage/septage management: 888 projects developed ~22,539 km sewer network; AMRUT 2.0 has 605 projects covering 40,021 km sewer network.

  6. Pre-monsoon drain cleaning and desilting are responsibilities of urban local bodies; central government does not maintain details of funds allocated for these activities.

Prelims pointers

  • AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) launched in 2015
  • AMRUT 2.0
  • URDPFI Guidelines 2014
  • River-Centric Urban Planning Guidelines 2021
  • Storm Water Drainage Manual
  • Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
  • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
  • Rajya Sabha

Mains angles

  • GS3 Disaster Management: Urban flooding causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies
  • GS2 Polity: Centre-state responsibilities in disaster management and urban planning
  • GS3 Environment: Role of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure in flood management
  • GS2 Governance: Effectiveness of AMRUT and other schemes in addressing urban flooding