Encroachment, inadequate storm-water drains flooding urban centres: Puri

Flooding in urban areas is due to inadequate storm-water drains and large-scale encroachments along natural waterways, said Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday.

Speaking at the workshop 'Urban Flooding Resilience' here, the Minister said: "The area between natural disaster and man-made blunders is becoming very difficult to define, as much of what appears to be natural is often man-made due to climate change."

According to the ministry, statistics show that flood disasters are one of the most significant in terms of damage and losses.

"Intense urbanization resulting in the so-called mega cites aggravates floods by increasing the amount of impermeable surfaces and modifying flow routes" it said.

The Minister said there are measures that cities can undertake changing the nature of buildings and materials used, ensuring water conservation or planting more.

He also called for mapping of emergency services and disaster management response centres, strengthening of communication services and stressed the need for improved forecasting and urban planning strategies.

The workshop noted that climate change and increasing urbanization pose huge challenges in managing urban planning for a sustainable future.

--IANS

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