States struggle to contain urban flooding as landslides hit several cities

Urban flooding is a major issue in several cities, mainly caused by increased incidence of high intensity rainfall and unplanned growth. The Management of urban flooding falls under the purview of State Governments, with Government of India providing financial and technical support through schematic interventions/advisories. MoHUA has published advisory guidelines for improving urban drainage and flood management.

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Prelims-testable facts

01The management of urban flooding in India is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/Urban Development Authorities.
02The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) supplements the efforts of States through schematic interventions/advisories, providing financial and technical support to strengthen Urban Planning ecosystem.
03High intensity rainfall in short duration is a major cause of urban floods in India.
04Unplanned growth, encroachment of natural water bodies, inadequate sewer systems, and inadequate rainwater drainage systems contribute to urban flooding.
05The pre-monsoon activities for cleaning and desilting of drains are functions of the ULBs.
06The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has published guidelines for improving urban drainage and flood management in India.
07Urban flooding in India is driven by extreme rainfall, wetland loss, and poor drainage systems.

Trap alerts

Most people think that urban flooding is a central government responsibility, but actually it is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/Urban Development Authorities.
Most people think that the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has complete control over urban flood management, but actually it supplements the efforts of States through schematic interventions/advisories.

Current-affairs link

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has published guidelines for improving urban drainage and flood management in India, including the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Urban Flooding and advisory guidelines for improving urban drainage and flood management.

Mains Practice Question

Critically examine the role of State Governments and the Government of India in managing urban flooding, including their respective responsibilities and schematic interventions.

250 words

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Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

Which ministry provides financial and technical support to States to strengthen the Urban Planning ecosystem?

A.Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
B.Ministry of Rural Development
C.Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
D.Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) plays a crucial role in supporting States in urban planning through financial and technical assistance.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Urban Flooding Management: 1. The Central Government is responsible for managing urban flooding. 2. The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) provides financial and technical support to the States to strengthen Urban Planning ecosystem. 3. The State Governments are solely responsible for cleaning and desilting of drains. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is incorrect because according to fact list #1, management of urban flooding including cleaning and desilting of drains falls under the purview of the State Governments. Statement 2 is correct as per fact list #3. Statement 3 is incorrect because although fact list #5 mentions that pre-monsoon activities for cleaning and desilting of drains are functions of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), it does not imply sole responsibility.

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