In this article, let us discuss the situation of Indian states with this extreme downpour. The reasons for the devastating conditions and what could be the possible solutions as well.
On Oct 13th, 2020 India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over Maharashtra, Marathwada, parts of South Konkan, Goa and north interior Karnataka during the next six hours of Wednesday.
Telangana on Tuesday was the victim of urban flooding due to this extreme rainfall with many reporting heavy rain leading to road closures, tree falling, severely swamped roads. The 24hr hour rainfall recorded 191.8mm was the highest October rainfall reported in Telangana's capital since 1903.
IMD had issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar on 9th October. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds and heavy rain is expected at places.
Heavy rains pounded part of Andhra Pradesh too. At least 29 have died in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to torrential downpour in the past 72 hours. Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke to the CMs of respective states. Assured all possible support and assistance from the centre in rescue and relief work.
Causes of the Catastrophe
There are three possible causes of urban flooding due to heavy rainfalls.
Meteorological: Heavy rains and Cyclones that a complete natural disaster.
Hydrological: Blockage of water channels like drains, canals, rivers etc.
Human Factors: Landuse changes, surface scaling due to urbanisation.
Among these, the root cause of urban flooding is human factors such as unplanned and unsustainable urbanisation.
Major factors for current ongoing situations
Heavy rains, some times extreme downpours could lead to excess water accumulation and also becomes an intervention in many public movements and communication causing signal issues.
Destruction of natural drainage for construction or urbanisation purpose.
Land use - encroachment of wetlands and flood plains
Blocked channels like rivers and lakes
Unscientific waste management that blocks the water channels and reduces the capacity of the drainage system.
Excessive concretisation in urban areas sealing the surface which reduces the percolation of water to the groundwater table.
Failure of Govt. and Pvt. organisations to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly structures and systems.
Consequences
Destruction of public and private properties like infrastructures, communication, transport, electricity.
Pollutes water bodies leading to non-availability of freshwater to drink
Leads to cholera, dengue, typhoid and other water-borne diseases
What is the solution?
Disaster Risk Management
Planned and Sustainable Urban Development
Vulnerability and risk assessment
Protect natural drainage
Clear silt and waste in drain channels with the help of local bodies and pollution control authorities
Improve forecasting and early warning systems Ex. TRAI can ask all telecom companies and social media companies to take responsibility with the help of IMD to share messages to all its users warning about upcoming storm or disaster.
Better disaster preparedness with the help of NDMA - National Disaster Management Authority SDMA - State Disaster Management Authority DDMA - District Disaster Management Authority ULB - Urban Local Bodies
Sources: The Indian Express, The Hindu, BBC News
Comments