India commits $300 million to mitigate urban flooding and water scarcity in major cities
- In Reports
- 10:37 PM, Aug 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
India is set to invest nearly $300 million over the next two years to expand water bodies and construct drainage systems in seven major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This initiative, announced by a government official, aims to mitigate the increasing threat of urban flooding and enhance water conservation efforts across the country.
Flooding, often deadly, has become a common occurrence in Indian cities during the monsoon season, as rapid urbanisation consumes city lakes and waste clogs drainage systems. In recent years, these floods have been preceded by severe water shortages, particularly in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, where once-abundant water storage spaces have dramatically diminished.
In June, ratings agency Moody's cautioned that India's escalating water stress could hinder its economic growth, which is projected to reach 7.2% in the current fiscal year, the highest among major economies. The federal government has recently approved a significant spending plan as its first flood control initiative centred on water bodies. This plan will also include the implementation of early-warning systems, according to Krishna S. Vatsa, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority.
Vatsa said in an interview, "It could become one of the most significant approaches to flood mitigation in the cities.”
"While the importance of stormwater drainage in reducing the runoff cannot be overlooked, they also need to be supplemented by some of the nature-based solutions such as increasing the capacity of rivers and lakes to carry rain water."
Krishna S. Vatsa stated that out of the 25 billion rupees ($298 million) allocated for the rainwater project, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata will each receive 5 billion rupees, while Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune will each be allotted 2.5 billion rupees. No funds have been allocated for the capital, Delhi, as the selected cities were prioritised based on the frequency of floods and the assessed extent of resulting damages.
However, Vatsa cautioned that longer-term measures are essential, particularly as the country experiences increasingly intense rainfall over shorter periods. For instance, on July 8, Mumbai, India's financial capital, was deluged with over 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain in just six hours, according to authorities.
"Whenever a city receives 100 mm of rainfall, there is bound to be inundation," Vatsa said. "You need a certain level of investment continuously which is supported by a whole lot of governance measures so that the problem could be reduced."
Image source: Reuters
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