CHALLENGES IN FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE COASTAL MEGACITIES OF INDIA

摘要

Extremes in climate together with environmental degradation worsen the impact of floods in the coastal megacities - Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai - of India, resulting in casualties and large-scale damage to urban infrastructure. Urban migration and uncontrolled growth in population makes flood management complicated. The cities are not well-designed to face these challenges. Urban infrastructure and water resources face threat from sea level rise, increased wave action and increasing frequency and severity of storms. Millions of poor living in slums and coastal zones with low adaptive capacity make the cities highly vulnerable to climate change. Competition for food and water, water related health issues and mass migration from the coastal area may create societal unrest in the cities in near future. Large investments will be required for post-recovery measures, resettlements, rehabilitation, impact mitigation and adaptation.