Monsoons have always been romanticised by Indian cinema, celebrated with songs and dances since the rains bring life-giving water to the earth and the promise of a robust harvest. But the mayhem that the monsoons leave behind, and the hell that breaks loose on people and the economy, often spoil the fun. The monsoons, as usual, have caused flash floods and landslides this year as well across many states, killing scores of people and uprooting thousands from their homes. According to the IFRC report (Floods disaster in India, mitigation and their impacts), 41% of all known disasters between 2008–2017 were flood-related, affecting over 730 million people.
A report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) stated that India suffered a total loss of $3.2 billion from flooding between June and September 2021. It needs no telling that such perpetual economic losses due to monsoons will not only slow down growth but also severely reduce economic opportunities for marginalised classes, including daily-wage earners and migrant labourers, between June and October, not to mention the plight of small and marginal farmers pushed to the edge.
Climate change is further worsening the problem through untimely rains, cloudbursts and flash floods as weather cycles have changed. While Mumbai has historically been notorious for monsoon deluges disrupting the momentum of life and damaging property, in recent times, cities like Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad have also experienced severe floods. The social cost is huge, as floods not only rob the poor of their livelihoods but also affect educational institutions, healthcare systems, and road and rail communication for days.
The most common reasons for floods during monsoons are said to be reduced river channel capacity due to sedimentation, alteration of the course of rivers due to encroachments, intense mining activity on riverbanks and deforestation. In urban areas, the problem is attributed to changes in land use and unplanned urbanisation blocking natural drainage systems (Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad). Additionally, poor drainage infrastructure, the collapse of flood-control structures and unscientific flood management further exacerbate flood disasters.
The scenario of perpetual floods and disasters during monsoons points more to our faulty flood management than to natural weather factors. They expose the poor preparedness of government agencies and civic bodies. The policy response in India has chiefly been reactive rather than preventive. The World Bank’s report (2023) states that policies are often siloed and are insufficient for the scale of the problem. The gaps are significant. For example, only 349 (7%) Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and 231 (5%) Operating Manuals (OPs) were prepared for 4,862 large dams by March 2016, with pre- and post-monsoon inspections fully conducted in only 2 states, partially in 3, and not initiated in 12 out of 17 states/UTs.
The budget for flood control, adaptation and disaster management has been a concern for decades. According to PIB (21 Feb 2024), the Union Cabinet approved ₹4,100 crore for FMBAP for 2021–26, with ₹2,940 crore allocated to the Flood Management Programme (FMP) to support state governments in critical flood-control works like embankments, anti-erosion measures and drainage development. In absolute figures, the allocations may appear robust but are insufficient given the scale of the problem in these trying times of climate change. We need huge investments in ‘Adaptation’ measures, which include building resilient structures, improving dry-land farming, developing resilient water infrastructure, multi-hazard early warning systems and nature-based solutions.
India needs to revisit its approach to flood management by observing the best models in the world. The Netherlands, with 67% of its land below mean sea level, is the global leader in flood management systems—a blend of hard engineering and sustainable nature-based solutions and strategies. The "Room for the River" policy allows rivers enough space to expand during floods, reducing pressure on urban areas. The Maeslant barrier in Rotterdam, protecting the world's busiest port, is an engineering marvel. Integrated nature-based solutions are followed in the UK, such as creating floodplains and wetlands alongside traditional dikes and dams. The "Making Space for Water" initiative, Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) integrate flood risk into urban planning in the United Kingdom.
The 1977 Comprehensive Flood Control Measures in Japan focus on integrated river basin management. Developed advanced flood-warning and evacuation contingency systems, including hazard maps and real-time monitoring, save lives and property in Japan. The United States provides flood insurance to property owners in flood-prone areas under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP 1968). The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System (AHPS) offers real-time flood forecasting with enhanced federal cooperation. The “Sponge City” initiative by China in cities like Beijing, Tianjin, Wuhan and Shenzhen, which began in 2015–2016, aims to increase urban flood resilience through nature-based solutions like permeable surfaces, green roofs and restored wetlands. Similarly, the “Green Climate Screen" in Denmark is an innovative rainwater management system using natural processes to absorb and evaporate water while diverting excess water to green areas during heavy rainfall.
India needs effective flood-control models with liberal investments in order to permanently address the problem. A strict legal framework and effective enforcement are important to ensure proper compliance with environmental laws, not only on paper but also on the ground.