The Economics of Weather
Urban Flooding
How heavy rain floods cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, why construction on lakes and drains worsens flooding, and the economic costs.
Heavy rain regularly floods Indian cities.
Examples
- Mumbai, July 2005: about 944 mm of rain in a day in parts of the city.
- Chennai, 2015: severe floods.
- Bengaluru, 2022: flooding in tech corridors.
Causes
- Building on lakes, wetlands and drains.
- Concrete surfaces stop water soaking in.
- Blocked drains from garbage.
Costs
- Lost workdays.
- Damaged homes, cars and goods.
- Disease.
Solutions
- Protect lakes and wetlands.
- Better drainage.
- Sponge city ideas.
The flooded tech park
In 2022, Bengaluru tech employees reached offices by tractor as roads flooded.
Thinking urban floods are only about rain
Construction on lakes and drains worsens them.
Key takeaways
- Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru have flooded.
- Building on lakes and drains worsens floods.
- Floods cost workdays and property.
- Protecting wetlands helps.
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