Why stab rainy rains annually in the cities of India

“Who is responsible for this mess?”

The matter recently echoed in the financial capital of India Mumbai, as thousands of residents found themselves again strung, soaked and disappointedS

The heavy rains stopped the city and it was before the monsoon even started in his midst. Roads have become rivers, vehicles have broken down in the middle of the switch, and the low -located neighborhoods were contaminated within hours.

Even the newly built underground metro station could not withstand the heavy effusion, as photos and videos of the station, flooded with mud water, became viral.

The preliminary deputy again exposed the fragile infrastructure of the city and caused widespread outrage on social media.

Brichangmumba Municipal Corporation Reported in Hindustan Times newspaperS

Following criticism, the BMC installed degreasing pumps in areas prone to floods and began manually to clean the waste from sewers to prevent further charging. But for many inhabitants the action came too late.

The crisis is neither new – nor is it unique to Mumbai.

From Delhi north to Bengaluru To the south, the largest cities in India flood every season of monsoons. The roads collapse, the overflow drains, the infrastructure is overloaded and the traffic is ground.

Experts blame the rapid unplanned urbanization, poor infrastructure and years of neglect of the environment as the main causes of this problem.

“The rate of expansion of cities has far exceeded the evolution of maintenance infrastructure, especially in water and drainage systems,” says Dickshu Cukhuja, an architect and a city plans with headquarters in Delhi.

“Many cities rely on outdated systems designed decades ago. And in the process of unverified expansion, natural drainage channels, wetlands and water bodies, which once absorb excess rainwater have been built or neglected,” he adds.

Experts say there is no solution for one size, as each city faces unique challenges and factors such as geography, population and climate, should be taken into account when designing effective answers.

India receives 80% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, which usually begins in June and lasts until September.

The monsoon is crucial to agriculture and livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers. They rely on seasonal showers in parts of the country where the right irrigation channels are absent.

But experts say climate change made an irregular time – such as non -seasoned rains, lightning floods and sushi associated with extreme heat – a more regular phenomenon that directly affects millions of people.

This year, the monsoon arrived a week earlier in parts of southern India, grabbing the authorities unprepared.

“Depression developed over the Eastern Central Arabian Sea, which plays an important role in attracting monsoon current,” says Mahesh Palavat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Time.

In Delhi, Minto's bridge has become a symbol of the annual chaos of the monsoons in the city. Almost every year, after a heavy rain, a bus or truck is stuck under the bridge – an image that emphasizes the fight of the city with urban floods.

This year, Delhi recorded his most humble May 1901 with more than 185 mm rainfall, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Many residents report damage to their property.

At least four people were killed and dozens were injured in one of the two heavy storms that hit the city in May, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru over 2,000 km (1.240 miles) from the capital, the problem seems different, but its root cause is the same.

Once known for its network of lakes, which helped to manage excess rainwater, Bengaluru saw many of these aquatic bodies. In their place are apartment complexes, business centers and roads – leaving the city vulnerable to flooding.

“Bengaluru is made up of three main valleys through which the water is naturally flowing. Most of the lakes in the city are located in these valleys,” explains Ram Prasad, an activist for the protection of the lake.

These valleys were originally designated as zones without construction, but over the years the attack was made and later changes to the legitimate authorized infrastructure projects were built in the area, he says.

“When you convert lakes – which traditionally act as flood buffers – in built -up areas, the water has nowhere to go. So what we see today in Bengaluru is the result of poor urban planning.”

Mr. Prasad points out that Bengaluru, who sits on a hill, has never been intended to flood and the current situation is entirely created by man.

Construction norms, especially construction that narrows the drains or is built directly above them, only worsens things, he says.

Meanwhile, Mumbai faces natural challenges because of its geography. For example, many parts of Mumbai are low and near the sea, which makes them more vulnerable than floods during heavy rains and tides.

But experts say that human actions have worsened things: the reduction of Mangri forests, which usually act as natural barriers against floods, and upgrading the floodplains where the water must drain.

“The breakdown is systemic – it starts with planning, which often does not take into account future variable air conditioners, is exacerbated by poor implementation and is complicated by the poor application of the provisions,” says G -N Kukerja. “Political will is often reactive – it responds to disasters, not investing in long -term sustainability.”

It's not just a big urban problem. The smaller cities often suffer equally, if not more.

Over the weekend, At least 30 people were killed In the northeastern states of India, after heavy rains caused floods and landslides. Tens of thousands have been affected, with rescue efforts.

So, can something be done to prevent this?

“Yes,” says Mr Kukreja, but only if it is part of a long-term, coordinated strategy.

It proposes to use mapping sensors and in real time to identify high -risk zones and warning communities. Estimated models can also help the authorities plan better answers.

“But technology alone is not an amendment, it must be paired with the responsible management and participation of the community,” he said.

In order for the cities of India to withstand the rains, they need more than pump pumps and quick repair. They need to be planning ahead before the damage is applied.

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