India is witnessing widespread monsoon rains across the country, with threats of floods in some states.
There has to be concerted measures by states to deal with the crippling cycles of drought and flood.
What is the current monsoon status?
The pre-monsoon phase between March and May was worrying as rainfall was scarce.
However, the current robust monsoon season in most parts of coastal, western and central India augurs well for the entire economy.
The beneficial conditions in the Indian Ocean have aided the very heavy rainfall recorded so far.
This is, especially, in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, the north-eastern States, Karnataka, the Konkan coast, hilly districts of Kerala and TN.
This pattern may extend into Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bengal and other eastern regions as well.
What is the need for caution?
The recent floods in Kerala and the Chennai catastrophe of 2015 remind of the negative side to rains.
The long-term trends for flood impact in India have been one of declining loss of lives and cattle since the decadal high of 1971-80.
However, there is rising absolute economic losses, though not as a share of GDP.
There can be a terrible cost in terms of lives and property lost, and people displaced in events of flood.
Distressing scenes of death and destruction are again being witnessed.
Even in a rain-shadow region such as Coimbatore in TN, the collapse of a railway parcel office after a downpour has led to avoidable deaths.
All these call for taking preparatory measures for the rainy season.
What are the concerns in this regard?
The response of State governments to this imperative is delayed.
States are hesitant to act against encroachment of lake catchments, river courses and floodplains.
E.g., even the extreme distress in Chennai has not persuaded the State government against allowing structures being constructed on a lake bed, after reclassification of land
Granting such permissions is a clear abdication of responsibility and violation of National Disaster Management Authority Guidelines to prevent urban flooding.
What are the measures needed?
It is important to increase resilience through planning, especially in cities and towns which are expanding steadily.
Orderly urban development is critical for sustainability, as the mega flood disasters in Mumbai and Chennai indicate.
Water-harvesting measures, as advocated by the Centre’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and a safety audit of structures should be taken up.
In drafting their management plans, States must be aware of the scientific consensus - on future rain spells influenced by a changing climate.
They need to invest in reliable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of flooding and avert disasters that could have global consequences in an integrated economy.
Scientific hydrology, coupled with the traditional wisdom of saving water through large innovative structures, will mitigate floods and help communities prosper.
