India will invest $300 million over two years to enlarge water bodies and install drains in seven major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, to combat flooding and preserve water, according to a government official. Growing urbanisation and clogged drains have made urban flooding, a frequent and occasionally dangerous problem during the monsoon season, worse. Cities like Delhi and Bengaluru have also seen severe water shortages as water storage spaces have shrunk.
The federal government recently approved the funding, making it the first flood prevention project aimed at water bodies. The strategy will also feature early warning systems. Krishna S. Vatsa, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority, emphasised the importance of this strategy, saying that it blends traditional stormwater drainage with nature-based solutions, such as improving rivers and lakes’ ability to manage rainwater.
Of the 25 billion rupees allocated, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata will each receive 5 billion rupees while Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune will each receive 2.5 billion rupees. Delhi was excluded from this allocation due to its lower flood frequency.
Vatsa also emphasised the importance of long-term interventions, particularly in light of increased rainfall intensity.
