The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

Theme

T58 Urban floods

What UPSC asks in this theme

Cross-paper and frequent: why big cities (including smart ones) flood, causes, major floods (Mumbai, Chennai), and policies to tackle them.

What to cover

• Causes: encroachment of water bodies, poor drainage, concretisation, extreme rainfall
• Major floods: Mumbai 2005, Chennai 2015, Hyderabad, Pune
• NDMA urban flood guidelines, sponge cities, early warning

Writing the answer

• Name two floods with features; end with a framework of measures

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 4 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.