Context
Repeated episodes of urban flooding in Hyderabad during the 2025 monsoon have once again exposed the fragility of India’s cities in the face of climate-induced extreme weather events. The article argues that disaster recovery cannot rely on ad hoc relief grants or delayed compensations — instead, India urgently needs a dedicated Urban Climate Emergency Fund for timely and long-term resilience.
Background: Rising Urban Floods in India
- Hyderabad recorded 914.84 mm of rainfall in 2025, one of the highest in recent decades.
- Similar flood crises have repeatedly hit cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Guwahati.
- These events highlight the shift in rainfall patterns, with intense short-duration rain spells overwhelming drainage and infrastructure.
Urban expansion over wetlands, lakes, and stormwater channels has worsened flood vulnerability. The problem is aggravated by poor urban planning, unregulated construction, and shrinking permeable surfaces.
Government Response in Hyderabad
- Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (2024) was established to restore and rejuvenate water bodies and manage encroachments.
- Interventions like reviving Balkapur Nala and Kummari Kunta lake offer hope but are limited in scale and impact.
- The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA)—formed in the 1970s—still struggles with outdated planning norms and poor integration of ecological principles.
Climate Change and Urban Vulnerability
- Urban poor and those in low-lying areas suffer the most, losing homes, possessions, and livelihoods.
- Rising concrete surfaces prevent natural percolation, increasing surface runoff and flash floods.
- Current approaches to climate adaptation remain reactive rather than preventive.
Policy Discussion: National Approach
In July 2025, MP R. Rookmani Choudhary raised the issue in Parliament, urging the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to promote climate-resilient urban planning and emergency preparedness.
MoHUA, under its Urban Challenge Fund (2025–26), allocated ₹1.5 crore per city for resilience planning — an encouraging but insufficient step given the scale of losses.
Why an Urban Climate Emergency Fund is Needed
- Speed and Predictability:
Ad hoc relief grants and delayed funding cripple response efforts. A permanent fund ensures quick, structured financial support for rebuilding infrastructure and rehabilitating affected communities. - Integration of Climate Adaptation:
The fund should incentivise long-term resilience projects such as rainwater harvesting, blue-green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems, and lake restoration. - Local Empowerment:
Urban local bodies (ULBs) must have direct access to climate funds for rapid response instead of waiting for central or state disbursals. - Link with MoHUA’s Urban Missions:
It can complement schemes like AMRUT 2.0, Smart Cities Mission, and River-Centric Urban Planning Guidelines (2021) for water-sensitive urban development.