Theme T58 · Indian Society

Urban floods

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What UPSC asks

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

Prepare these

• 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

Answer writing

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

Directive words in these PYQs: Discuss (3), Describe (1), Mention (1), Account for (1), Suggest (1), Highlight (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L7 — Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• GS3-L15 — Disaster and disaster management.

All 4 PYQs, newest first

1. GS3202415 marks · 250 wordsGS3-DM-01-M2024-Q18

   Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods.

   Also needs: T160 Disaster management frameworks: DM Act, Sendai, resilience, community, dam safetyCopyReport a typo
2. GS12020GS1-SOC-05-M2020-S01

   Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures.

   Also needs: T57 Smart cities, rural–urban integration & urban transportCopyReport a typo
3. GS12016GS1-SOC-05-M2016-S02

   Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.

   CopyReport a typo
4. GS32016GS3-DM-01-M2016-S01

   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.

   Also needs: T160 Disaster management frameworks: DM Act, Sendai, resilience, community, dam safetyCopyReport a typo