1) Unplanned Rapid Urbanization-Unplanned urban growth has destroyed natural drainage systems, leading to encroachment on floodplains and wetlands, less permeable surfaces due to widespread concrete construction, and changes in natural watershed boundaries..
2) Lack of Effective Urban Governance-Despite the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, key areas such as urban planning, land use, and economic development have not fully transferred to city governments as required. The structure of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) lacks clarity that leads to uneven distribution of power between elected representatives and executive wings.This leads to poor urban governence and mismangement of waterlogging issues.
3) Inadequate and Outdated Drainage Infrastructure:Many Indian cities are still reliant on colonial-era drainage systems designed for rainfall intensities of 20-25mm per hour, which are inadequate for current precipitation patterns. This results in insufficient capacity to handle increased water volume and frequent overflow during heavy rainfall,
4) Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events-The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports indicate an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in India.This leads to a higher volume of water than drainage systems can handle and increased runoff due to the soil’s inability to absorb water quickly.
5) Loss of Water Bodies and Green Spaces: A study by the National Institute of Urban Affairs revealed that major Indian cities have lost 70-80% of their water bodies over the last 40 years.This has led to reduced natural water storage capacity, increased surface runoff, and disruption of the natural water cycle.