In India, there are benefits and drawbacks to the monsoon season. Even though it makes people and farmers happy, it may also result in disastrous floods that harm lives and property. Investigating preventive methods is necessary given India’s ongoing flooding problem. Northern India is currently experiencing major floods and landslides in 2023, especially in Uttarakhand. Not just a lot of rain, but also a lack of well-thought-out preparation, is the main contributor to these floods. Flood management hasn’t really improved despite occurring on a yearly basis. The Asian Development Bank estimates that from 1990 to 2017, urban floods caused a loss of $54 billion in terms of economic output. It is essential to pinpoint the underlying causes of the flooding issue and create all-encompassing solutions. It’s crucial to keep in mind that while floods provide difficulties, they also improve soil fertility, supporting the expansion of agriculture.
- RESON 2 – Lack of proper planning was the first cause of the flood.
Even so, I continue to believe that poor planning is the primary factor in flooding. Other nations, such as Vietnam, which receives much more annual rainfall than India but does not experience flooding because of good planning and well-planned cities, can experience flooding due to unplanned development, which can clog drainage systems and result in a buildup of water on the roads and flooding. Most slum areas are close to small rivers and areas where drainage is flowing through; as a result, people toss their trash into the river and the drain, which clogs the drainage system. To stop floods, they ought to be aware of these things.
- RESON 2 – FOR THE FLOOD: Abusive Relationship with Nature In the name of development, we destroy our ecosystem, so we must pay the debts of the environment. Currently, there is no open ground, and in open grounds, the soil can absorb rainwater and raise the water level as well. However, we have now created a forest of concrete, and we cut down the trees by their roots while building roads and other structures. Trees can absorb water up to 10 inches per hour and as a result.
- Mangrove plantations: These are the plants that are in wet places and may effectively regulate floods by absorbing water and preventing it from moving elsewhere. We can build these plantations close to highways or dams.
- Green parks and lakes: If there is a park in a city, there will also be a small lake and more trees, which will help to increase rainwater and help to absorb any extra rain that falls. It can serve as a place to unwind and a playground for kids.
3. Rooftop gardens: This is a fresh concept adopted by many nations to prevent flooding and provide the nation with new infrastructure. The rooftop garden serves as a canopy for the city and provides a location where people can go to get some peace and fresh air
- Proper planning for development: If we do a planning before any construction, we may be able to reduce flooding or drainage system blockages. To do this, we must raise public awareness so that people don’t throw trash into rivers and drains, plant trees on both sides of the roads and build small water-absorbing structures that can quickly absorb water.
- Rainwater harvesting: This is the earliest method for storing rainwater and using it in other ways. It can also lower the likelihood of flooding in cities. Municipalities must act regarding rainwater harvesting because it is the simplest way to lessen water blockage that causes flooding. Many nations, including Singapore, the United States, Bangkok, etc., are creating rooftop gardens, which can absorb water to a great extent to minimise floods and give people a place to relax. Many agricultural institutes are also bringing innovative farming techniques employing modern architecture.
CONCLUSION: If we want to stop floods, we need to act and tell the government about the answers so they can spread the word about how to stop floods. Even little measures can prevent millions of deaths and billions of dollars in damage.
HI sir thanks for the info