Urban flood disasters are clearly on the rise. The problem is known, the reasons evident, and the prescription is also more or less clear. But who will implement it?
Construction over lake beds, blocking of stormwater drains have aggravated flooding in the city. Not much has changed over the last 20 years in terms of its preparedness to mitigate extreme climate events.
A BMC press note assures citizens of corrective action taken in 169 flood-prone spots and ongoing work at 43 spots, but what Mumbai really needs is sustained, hydrology-based water bodies management.
Yet another city, yet another time. A tale of how callous city administration ignored repeated warnings and saw Vadodara go under water following spells of intense rainfall over a day this monsoon.