HLC, chaired by Union Home Minister, approved six projects of five states (Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal and Maharashtra) for urban flood management.

About Urban Floods

• It refers to rapid rise of floodwaters in urban areas due to limited infiltration and heavy rainfall events.
• Management of urban floods falls under the purview of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies/Urban Development Authorities, responsible for maintaining drainage and sewerage system in cities/towns.

Factors Causing Urban Floods

• Meteorological Factors: Unprecedented Rainfall (944 mm in 24 hours, Mumbai floods 2005); Cyclonic Storms (Hyderabad floods 2020); Global warming (Snowfall, snowmelt and sea level rise) etc.
• Hydrological Factors: Change in course of rivers; Landslides and soil erosion; Presence/absence of overbank flow and High tide impeding drainage; etc.
• Human factors: Rapid rate of urbanization and deforestation; Lack of maintenance of infrastructure and drainage channels; Unplanned release of water from dams/lakes (Chennai Floods 2015 –water released from Chembarampakkam lake) etc.

Impact of Urban Floods: 

• Structural damage to buildings, Loss of lives and property, disruption in transport, power and incidence of epidemic (dengue, malaria, chikungunya) etc.