Why do cities flood even when rivers don’t overflow?
Urban floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms a city’s drainage system. As natural surfaces are replaced by concrete roads, buildings, and pavements, rainwater cannot infiltrate into the ground. Instead, it rapidly flows over the surface, causing waterlogging and flash floods.
🚨 Major Causes: ✔️ Encroachment of wetlands and floodplains ✔️ Poor drainage infrastructure ✔️ Unplanned urbanization ✔️ Intense rainfall due to climate change ✔️ Blocked drains and waste accumulation
🇮🇳 Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Delhi frequently face urban flooding challenges.
💡 Sustainable solutions include restoring wetlands, improving drainage networks, increasing green spaces, and adopting sponge city concepts.
#urbanfloods #climatechange #geography #disastermanagement #thegeoecologist
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