Question Q.17AnalyseGS1GS1

Incidence of extreme rainfall events and flash floods in recent times has led to devastating consequences for major cities of India. Analyse.

Introduction

Recently extreme rainfall, cloudburst and flash floods are damaging life and property in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, pointing to such increased incidences.

20 words

Main Body

2024 and 2025 were marked with rising incidences of extreme events & floods affecting multiple cities: Uttarakhand (2025), Delhi (2025), Gauwhati, Ubay Flood, Amodabad (2024), Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Bengaluru (2024), Chennai.

Causes behind Such Events:

lower absorption rate of water

clogged drainage - siltation

Climate changeextreme events

Poor urban planning.

Encroachment of lakes - concretisation.

Devastating consequences for Cities:

Economic Devastation:

1Damage to life and property.

2Infrastructural damage → road, pipeline.

3Poor productivity of labour.

4Cost to GDP ~ 2%. as cities are the driver of economic growth.

Social Devastation:

1Floods lead to disease outbreaks.

2Rising vulnerabilities in cities: migrant labour, women and children.

3Poor educational outcome for the children.

4Higher burden on infrastructure & social work welfare.

Government devastation:

1Diversion of administrative focus from growth and development.

2Damages governance link and social capital.

3Poor utilization of resources.

Way Ahead to Mitigate and Adapt:

1Investment into disaster resilient infrastructure

2Non-structural measure → rehabilitations, Miyawaki technique.

3Structural: flood proofing of building.

4Best Practice: 'Room for the River' in Netherlands

5Urban river restoration: [Mithi River in Mumbai]

6Lake Rejuvenation: [AMRUT sarovar]

Cities are the driver of growth and must be protected from the vagaries of climate.

217 words6 paragraphs

Conclusion

Cities are the driver of growth and must be protected from the vagaries of climate.

15 words

Diagram

Map of India showing flood incidents at multiple locations with years: Uttarakhand (2025), Delhi (2025), Gauwhati, Ubay Flood, Amodabad (2024), Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Bengaluru (2024), Chennai

Recent current affairs examples with specific locations and dates
Identifies multiple interconnected causes
Map provides visual geographical context

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Page 41

Topper

Gaurav Chopra

AIR 83

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

Flood events

Extreme rainfall events and flash floods in Indian cities

Writing Stats

252

Total words

Paragraphs