Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Define urban floods and mention the growing frequency of such floods globally and in India.
- Briefly introduce the factors contributing to urban floods, both natural and human-made.
2. Body
A. Natural Causes of Urban Floods:
- Acknowledge the role of natural factors like heavy rainfall and climatic events in causing floods.
- Fact: Extreme weather events, such as intense monsoon rains, are significant contributors to urban flooding. For example, the 2015 Chennai floods were exacerbated by heavy rainfall.
B. Human Activities Exacerbating Floods:
- Urbanization and Infrastructure Issues:
- Rapid urbanization leads to the loss of natural flood barriers like wetlands and mangroves.
- Example: In Mumbai, the reclamation of wetlands and destruction of mangrove forests reduced the city’s natural water absorption capacity, making it prone to flooding.
- Poor Water Management:
- Inadequate stormwater drainage systems, blocked drains, and improper waste disposal worsen flooding.
- Example: Kerala floods in 2018 were partly due to poor water management, including unplanned urban expansion and inefficient drainage systems.
- Climate Change and Extreme Weather Patterns:
- While climate change is a global issue, human actions like greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and industrialization accelerate extreme weather conditions.
- Fact: Increased rainfall and erratic weather patterns in cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru are attributed to climate change, which is influenced by human activity.
- Lack of Preparedness and Response:
- Delayed or inadequate responses to early warnings and poor infrastructure planning exacerbate the effects of floods.
- Example: In the 2015 Chennai floods, poor coordination between authorities and delayed flood warnings contributed to significant damage.
3. Conclusion
- Conclude that while natural factors like heavy rainfall and climatic events are part of urban flooding, human activities play a primary role in exacerbating the frequency and severity of these floods.
- Emphasize the need for better urban planning, climate action, and improved water management systems to mitigate urban floods.
Relevant Facts for the Answer
- Mumbai’s Loss of Wetlands and Mangroves: Urban expansion and reclamation projects have destroyed natural barriers that could absorb excess rainfall.
- 2018 Kerala Floods: Poor water management practices, including illegal construction and inadequate drainage systems, worsened the flood impacts.
- Chennai 2015 Floods: The city experienced extreme rainfall, but poor drainage, lack of preparedness, and delayed warnings intensified the damage.
- Bangalore and Kolkata: These cities have witnessed flooding due to urban sprawl, lack of efficient drainage, and climate change-induced irregular rainfall patterns.
- Climate Change Impact: The increasing frequency of heavy rainfall and prolonged monsoons in urban areas, driven by human-induced climate change, has been a key factor in urban floods.
By following this roadmap, you can present a well-rounded, factual, and logical argument that addresses both natural and human causes of urban floods.
Model Answer
Introduction
Frequent urban floods are increasingly being recognized as a result of human activities, although natural factors like heavy rainfall also play a role. The combination of urbanization, poor water management, climate change, and lack of preparedness has made urban areas particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Human Activities Contributing to Urban Floods
Rapid urban growth and inadequate planning have significantly contributed to frequent flooding.
Inefficient water management practices, including inadequate stormwater drainage systems and waste disposal, further exacerbate flooding.
While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, have intensified its impact, leading to extreme weather conditions.
Inadequate response mechanisms and poor disaster preparedness contribute to the damage caused by floods.
Conclusion
While natural events like heavy rainfall contribute to urban flooding, human actions such as urbanization, poor water management, and climate change have amplified the problem. Implementing green infrastructure, better water management practices, and sustainable urban planning can mitigate these man-made floods in cities.