Why lashing rains wreak havoc annually in India’s cities

Heavy rains in Mumbai last month caused severe flooding, stranding residents and exposing the city’s inadequate infrastructure ahead of the monsoon season. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) attributed the flooding to clogged drains and construction debris, prompting immediate remedial actions, although many felt these were too late. Similar flooding challenges plague cities across India, including Delhi and Bengaluru, where rapid urbanization and neglect of natural water bodies have worsened the impact of seasonal monsoons, exacerbated by climate change.