Why in News : Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have witnessed repeated episodes of extreme rainfall and flooding in 2024 and 2025. Despite advanced disaster response, infrastructural neglect (sluices, flood banks, minor tributaries, stormwater drains) has worsened flood damage.
Background: Changing Monsoon Behaviour
- Shift in monsoon pattern – More short, intense bursts of rainfall rather than evenly spread showers.
- Reservoirs like Srisailam (94% full) and Nagarjuna Sagar (96% full) had little capacity left to absorb sudden inflows.
- Tributaries like Budameru (capacity 7,000 cusecs, inflow 35,000 cusecs in 2024) highlight how small channels can cause urban flooding when neglected.
Key Issues Highlighted
1. Infrastructural Neglect
- Damaged sluices and gates – e.g., Prakasam Barrage gate unrepaired for over a year.
- Weak floodbanks – Collapse along Godavari near Bhadrachalam created panic.
- Urban drainage failure – Encroached stormwater channels, incomplete desilting, and concretisation reduced absorption capacity.
2. Disaster Governance Gaps
- Reactive over proactive approach – Large sums released for immediate relief (₹1 crore per district in Telangana), but preventive works like diversion channels remain unfinished.
- Repetition of crisis – Same pattern of flooding in 2024 and 2025 (August-September) with little systemic correction.
- Opaque relief mechanisms – Local protests over lack of transparency in relief fund allocation.
3. Urbanisation and Land Use Changes
- Concretised surfaces in cities prevent percolation.
- Encroachment on natural floodplains and drains creates choke points.
- Absence of climate-sensitive urban planning.
4. Fatalism in Governance
- Both States argue that extreme rainfall can overwhelm any system, but this narrative risks policy complacency and prevents long-term reform.
Positive Aspects
- Mature disaster response systems – Evacuations and relief have saved many lives.
- Technological adoption – Early warning systems and weather forecasts are operational.
- Institutional presence – State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) exist and coordinate relief.
Way Forward
A. Reservoir and Flood Management
- Adopt real-time hydrological modelling for reservoir operations.
- Pre-emptively draw down water levels before peak rainfall to create flood cushion.
- Strict periodic maintenance of sluices and gates; depoliticise upkeep funding.
B. Strengthening Infrastructure
- Complete diversion channels and flood banks on priority.
- Mandate annual audits of barrages, sluices, and embankments by independent agencies.
C. Urban Flood Preparedness
- Protect and restore stormwater drains and natural tributaries.
- Implement permeable urban planning green zones, water-absorbing pavements, retention ponds.
- Move beyond “cosmetic desilting drives” to permanent drainage upgrades.
D. Governance Reforms
- Shift from relief-centric to risk-reduction approach.
- Create floodplain zoning laws and restrict construction in vulnerable zones.
- Enhance transparency in allocation and monitoring of relief and infrastructure funds.
E. Climate Adaptation
- Recognise that climate change has altered monsoon behaviour.
- Integrate climate risk assessments into water resource management.
- Encourage community participation in flood preparedness and awareness campaigns.
Conclusion
Excess rainfall is a reality in the era of climate change, but damage is a governance failure, not a natural inevitability. A paradigm shift from reactive relief to proactive preparedness—through modern hydrological modelling, infrastructure maintenance, and climate-sensitive urban planning—is essential.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper I (Geography): Monsoon behaviour, climate change.
GS Paper II (Governance): Federal and state-level disaster management, governance failures.
GS Paper III (Disaster Management, Infrastructure): Flood mitigation, urban planning, sustainable development.
Mains Practice Question:
Q. “Floods in India are less a natural disaster and more a result of governance failure.” Discuss in the context of recent events in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
