Q.3 India’s cities will continue to be drivers of economic growth with significant production and consumption, but that sunrise story is threatened by unsustainable urban development in the era of climate change. In the context of this, examine the factors leading to the frequent floods in urban areas and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

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Staff @CD

Mentor’s comment-

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/storm-warnings-of-a-megacity-collapse/article38279429.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/time-for-a-sponge-cities-mission-in-india/article32985979.ece
In the intro, mention the flood in Chennai on December 30, 2021.
In the body, elaborate on the risks posed to the urban areas by extreme weather events aggravated by climate change. Next, mention the factors responsible for the frequent floods in the cities such as Mumbai Chenna and Delhi. In the way forward mention removing the encroachments on the streams, proper urban planning, enhancing the role of local communities in managing the local ecosystem, implementing the idea of sponge cities etc.
Conclude by mentioning that the need today is not for flashy retrofitted ‘smart’ urban enclaves but sound, functional metropolitan cities that can handle floods, heatwaves, pollution and mass mobility to keep the engines of the economy running.