The risk and impact of natural disasters has increased a manifold in recent times because of the rapid and unplanned urbanization along with high population growth. Discuss the measures needed to address the issue in India.

As per UN-DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), about 50% of India’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. This, accompanied by climate change has increased both risk and impact of natural disasters.

Hazard + vulnerability = Disaster

Urbanization – Increased risk of disasters:

1. Rapid urbanization:
   • Increased burden on natural resources like, land, water, soil, etc increases risk of droughts, degradation, etc.
   • Concretization of natural habitats leading to urban heat Island effect, which increases risk of heat waves, cloudburst, etc.
   • Reduction in green Islands due to deforestation, etc, leads to reduced buffer against winds, cyclones, etc.
2. Unplanned urbanization:
   • Rise of unplanned slums with vulnerability to bio-disasters from contacts with unhealthy conditions.
   • Encroachment of river beds and other natural habitats, e.g. Assam flooding annually.
   • Lack of hazard vulnerability assessment before urbanization, e.g. Landslides in Western Ghats.

Urbanization – increased impact of disasters:

1. Rapid urbanization:
   • Lack of sustainable approach with adequate buffer, such as parks, rainwater harvesting regions – buffer against urban flooding.
   • Pollution of resources, e.g. groundwater, air, etc – long term health deteriorates and impact of disasters increase.
2. Unplanned urbanization:
   • High population concentration in a small region – increase casualties.
   • Lack of regard for safety measures in unplanned urban constructions.
   • Lack of proper drainage.

Measures to address:

1. Infrastructural:
   • Concept of green cities with green method of construction, e.g. Ash as water absorbent.
   • Designated space for buffers like urban forest, parks, etc.
2. Institutional:
   • Comprehensive urban planning based on hazard risk assessment.
   • Involvement of environmental experts in urban planning.
3. Others:
   • Decentralized approaches with city and region specific contingency plans.

Topics: GS-I: Urbanization Their Problems and Their Remedies • GS-III: Disaster and Disaster Management