Gurugram Water Logging

with an area of less than half than that of china we have 1.5 billion population the largest in the world , with increasing salary comes investment largely in real estates . everyone wants a house with 5/6 real estate properties to invest in mostly hilly areas and vacation destinations. government needs money to manage 1.5 billion citizens and they open up real estate everywhere so who is to blame ??? more  

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2025/columnists/india-needs-a-permanent-disaster-relief-law-for-climate-resilience.html India needs a permanent disaster relief law for climate resilience Thursday, 04 September 2025 | Dinesh Sood "India needs a permanent disaster relief law for climate resilience When nature unleashes its fury, it does not just wash away homes and harvests — it also exposes the cracks in our governance. A legally binding disaster relief law, backed by dormant national resources, could transform the way India responds — from delayed compensation to timely, guaranteed rehabilitation" "When natural disasters strike, they expose not only the vulnerabilities of our terrain but also the inadequacies of our governance. The ongoing devastation in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, described as one of the most severe in its history, has once again triggered calls for a more structured, legally binding framework to address cloudburst, landslide, and flood relief. Centre to enact a Disasters Relief Law mandating the use of over Rs 2 lakh crore unclaimed money remains in limbo, growing at 15-20 per cent annually across different financial sectors over the decades. This includes Rs 78,213 crore in banks and post office deposits, Rs 27,000 crore in EPFO accounts, Rs 22,000 crore in insurance, Rs 90,093 crore in stocks and dividends IEPF (Investor Education and Protection Fund) and Rs 2,600 crore in mutual funds. The Supreme Court has recommended the establishment of a Central Unclaimed Property Authority (CUPA). This would be a single Government body to track and manage the unclaimed money centrally. By making a law, this money could be put to good use, as it is now the country’s money, which has been lying idle for years. There can be no better place for its good use than in natural disaster relief, which is, therefore, both timely and urgent. If Rs 2 lakh crore lies unclaimed and idle with the Centre, could it be unlocked for rebuilding shattered lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods? The appeal is not just about Himachal and Punjab; it resonates across the entire country. Year after year, states are battered by floods, landslides, cyclones, and earthquakes. The scale of human and economic losses has long outpaced the ad hoc relief packages that the Centre and states announce after every calamity. Between 1980 and 2024, Punjab alone witnessed floods that affected nearly 13 million people, inundated more than 4.64 lakh hectares of fertile farmland, damaged over 8 lakh homes, and caused the deaths of more than 2,500 people along with the loss of nearly 18,000 livestock, and currently the crop area affected in over 95,000 hectares. Himachal Pradesh has already recorded losses worth Rs 2,348 crore during the current monsoon season. These are not marginal numbers; they reflect a systemic failure to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Disaster relief efforts in India are currently reactive, with compensation announcements occurring only after significant damage has been done. While the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds exist, their allocations are consistently inadequate. More critically, there is no legal obligation for the central Government to release funds promptly or in proportion to the assessed damages. This situation leaves states vulnerable to protracted negotiations and political manoeuvring. India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with over 40 million hectares at risk from floods and a long coastline exposed to cyclones. Climate change has exacerbated these threats, leading to more intense floods and increased landslide incidents. Given this reality, the current relief model, which is designed for repeated disasters, is utterly insufficient. We must confront and resolve the systemic issues that obstruct effective disaster relief. Establishing a permanent disaster relief law is not optional; it is imperative. This law should mandate pre-allocated funds based on scientific risk assessments rather than on post-disaster bargaining. It must ensure the automatic disbursement of relief funds within days, instead of dragging on for months, through direct benefit transfers. Furthermore, this law must cover long-term rehabilitation for housing, healthcare, and livelihoods, rather than just emergency provisions. It must also institutionalise accountability for delays and mismanagement. Lessons from Himalayan States Recent disasters in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab highlight the compounded risks faced by Himalayan states. These regions contend with fragile ecosystems prone to landslides, heavy rainfall that causes flash floods, and increasing human encroachment that intensifies natural hazards. The situation in Punjab reveals another critical failure of the current system; recurring floods demonstrate the urgent need for investment in long-term flood management solutions. Despite the millions affected and staggering losses incurred year after year, Punjab has failed to make the necessary long-term investments in flood management that would mitigate damages. We cannot wait any longer; prioritising investment in sustainable flood management measures is non-negotiable. Poor drainage systems, unregulated sand mining, and a lack of preventive planning amplify the impacts of heavy rains. Both of these cases unequivocally demonstrate that piecemeal relief efforts are inadequate. Without a legally guaranteed framework in place, states will remain vulnerable, citizens will remain uncertain, and rebuilding efforts will continue to be incomplete. We must act decisively to establish a robust disaster relief system that protects our communities and ensures swift recovery. Ad Hoc Relief Model is Unsustainable Disaster relief in India is currently tethered to post-disaster announcement packages issued by the central and state Governments only after the full extent of damage is revealed. While the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds exist, they are repeatedly underfunded, delayed in disbursement, and woefully inadequate for the large-scale rehabilitation required. Furthermore, the release of these funds is often mired in negotiations, excessive red tape, and political manoeuvring, rather than adhering to a clear, binding framework. This ad hoc approach must be discarded. Disasters are no longer isolated incidents; they are persistent realities we face. Climate change is worsening rainfall patterns, leading to more severe floods and increasingly frequent landslides. Relief efforts must not rest on discretionary announcements; they must be guaranteed, timely, and sufficiently robust to meet the challenges we confront. Why Disaster Relief Law is Imperative A permanent disaster relief law is essential to transform our crisis response. This law must mandate pre-allocated funds for every state, determined by scientific risk assessments. It is unacceptable that relief should take months; funds must be automatically disbursed through direct transfers to affected families within days. Furthermore, it must encompass long-term recovery efforts, including the rehabilitation of homes, restoration of livelihoods, healthcare provision, and rebuilding of infrastructure. We must hold Governments accountable by requiring them to publish clear timelines and expected outcomes for disaster response. This issue is non-negotiable and transcends political disputes. Leaders, whether in the ruling party or the opposition, must recognise the indiscriminate nature of disasters; they spare no region or ideology. A law that guarantees automatic fund deployment in times of crisis will significantly bolster India’s resilience and reaffirm the state’s unyielding commitment to its citizens. We cannot let the call for such legislation be overshadowed by political noise. Himachal, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir must demand this vital change. While natural disasters are unavoidable, the suffering that arises from institutional neglect is entirely preventable. The era of ad hoc promises is over; it is time we established a permanent disaster relief law now. Parliament must take urgent action to enshrine disaster relief in law. Such a framework is essential not just for providing certainty to affected citizens but also for fortifying India’s disaster preparedness in the face of climate change. Relief should be established as a legal right, not left to the whims of political generosity. Natural disasters may be inevitable, but the ongoing suffering caused by financial delays is entirely within our control. India must transcend temporary solutions and implement a permanent safeguard for its citizens. A law that guarantees timely and adequate disaster relief is not merely an administrative reform; it is a moral duty that cannot be ignored." The writer is Co-Founder and MD of Orane International and Network Member of India International Skill Centres (IISCs), an initiative of GoI more  

The automobile companies profit, but in water logging what about the cars damaged irretrievably and have to be replaced! For the capitalists it is a statistic of profit. Government and industry capitalists' mutual benefit. more  

What a shameful picture for a millennial city. Ex CM Khattar, claims it is due to urbanisation and poor drainage. Well nearly 10 years as CM he was hand in glove with the builders lobby. They didn't even spare the wetlands and tha Aravalli's. If we allow this state to continue we will have floatsam and jetsam substituting for roads and Gurgaon ending up as a floating city. Not like Venice, for sure. Wake up double engine sarkar. Sanjiv more  

Double engine sarkar,centre & Haryana.God bless Gurgaon. more