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Writer's pictureArun Sawariya

Waterlogged Cities: The Hidden Health Dangers

Updated: Jul 4

Monsoon season impacting cities

Waterlogged Cities: The Hidden Health Dangers

As monsoon rains pour down across India, the picturesque sight of lush landscapes often gives way to a harsh reality for urban dwellers: severe water logging. Waterlogged Cities: The Hidden Health Dangers is a recurrent issue that not only disrupts daily life but also poses significant public health risks for individuals and communities. Flooded streets, submerged homes, and immobilized transportation systems become the norm, leading to an increase in waterborne diseases, respiratory issues, and physical injuries. Addressing these health dangers requires urgent attention to urban planning, infrastructure resilience, and public health preparedness to mitigate the impacts on affected populations.


Heavy Rainfall and Floods in Indian States in June-July 2024

 

In June-July 2024, heavy monsoon rains have severely impacted multiple states across India, leading to significant flooding and landslides. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts for several regions, predicting widespread rainfall and potential flash floods.


Heavy rains and floods are primary contributors to waterlogging by overwhelming the drainage systems of urban areas, leading to the accumulation of water on streets and low-lying areas. During heavy rainfall, the volume of water often exceeds the capacity of drainage infrastructure, causing backflow and overflow, which results in flooded streets and submerged homes. Additionally, floods carry debris and sediments that block drains and sewers, further preventing the effective removal of water. The saturated soil from prolonged rainfall also loses its ability to absorb additional water, compounding the problem. This combination of excessive water, blocked drainage, and soil saturation results in widespread waterlogging, disrupting daily life and posing significant health risks to communities


Key Affected Areas:

The ongoing monsoon season in India has brought significant rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and severe weather conditions across multiple states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts for various regions, indicating the potential for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.


In East and Northeast India, states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are grappling with severe flooding due to torrential rains. Assam, in particular, has seen its flood situation worsen, with over 11.3 lakh people affected across 23 districts and the death toll rising to 48. The relentless rains have also impacted other northeastern states, prompting red and orange alerts for regions including Meghalaya, West Bengal, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram.


Northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are experiencing landslides and rising river levels, causing substantial disruptions and posing serious risks to residents. The excavation work along the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand has exacerbated flood conditions near the Badrinath temple, causing alarm among devotees.


In Gujarat, heavy rains have isolated around 30 villages in the Junagadh district due to submerged roads. The state has recorded significant rainfall in several talukas, leading to extensive waterlogging and prompting the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to aid affected residents. The IMD has issued a red alert for several districts in Gujarat, forecasting continued heavy rainfall and potential flooding.



The Problem Unveiled

Understanding Water Logging and Its Immediate Impact


Waterlogging in cities occurs when excessive rainfall overwhelms the drainage capacity of urban infrastructure, resulting in flooded streets, submerged homes, and immobilized transportation systems. This is a recurring issue each monsoon season, as inadequate drainage systems in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai etc fail to cope with the deluge. Commuters often wade through knee-deep water, and vehicles stall in waterlogged areas, leading to widespread disruptions. The situation not only hampers daily activities but also raises the risk of waterborne diseases, highlighting the critical need for improved urban planning and infrastructure resilience.


The health impacts of the monsoon extend beyond waterborne diseases to include respiratory issues due to high humidity and physical injuries from accidents related to flooding and landslides. The widespread disruption also hampers access to medical services, exacerbating health risks for vulnerable populations. The IMD's alerts and warnings aim to prepare and mitigate the impacts of these severe weather conditions, underscoring the importance of timely action and preparedness to safeguard communities.

A man rides his cycle rickshaw with a passenger through a flooded street after heavy rains in New Delhi.

The Causes and Consequences of Urban Waterlogging

Waterlogging happens when excessive rainfall overwhelms the drainage capacity of an area, preventing water from being absorbed into the ground or carried away quickly enough. Here are the main factors contributing to waterlogging:

 

1. Inadequate Drainage Systems: Urban areas often have insufficient or poorly maintained drainage systems that cannot handle large volumes of rainwater. When heavy rainfall occurs, these systems become overwhelmed, leading to flooding on streets and in low-lying areas.

 

2. Impermeable Surfaces: Cities are filled with impermeable surfaces like concrete and asphalt that prevent rainwater from seeping into the ground. This leads to increased surface runoff, which contributes to water accumulation and flooding.

 

3. Blocked Drains and Sewers: Drains and sewers can become blocked by debris, garbage, and sediment, reducing their capacity to carry away water. This blockage exacerbates flooding during heavy rains.

 

4. Poor Urban Planning: Rapid urbanization without adequate planning for stormwater management can lead to areas that are prone to flooding. Construction on natural drainage paths and wetlands can also disrupt the flow of water, causing waterlogging.

 

5. Climate Change: Increasingly erratic and intense weather patterns due to climate change can result in more frequent and severe rainstorms, overwhelming existing drainage infrastructure and leading to more frequent waterlogging events.

 

6. Topography and Soil Type: The natural topography and soil type of an area can affect water drainage. Flat areas with clayey soils, which have low permeability, are more prone to waterlogging compared to areas with sandy soils that allow better infiltration of water.

 

Understanding these factors can help in developing strategies to prevent and manage waterlogging, such as improving drainage infrastructure, enhancing urban planning, and promoting sustainable practices that reduce surface runoff.


The Health Impact of Waterlogging and Flooding: A Closer Look at Diseases


Water logging and flooding, common during India's monsoon season, pose severe public health risks due to the proliferation of diseases. Here are some of the major health concerns associated with these conditions:


1. Waterborne Diseases:


- Cholera: Caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, cholera is characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration. It spreads through contaminated drinking water. Rapid onset of symptoms can lead to dehydration and death if not treated promptly.

- Dysentery: Both amoebic and bacillary dysentery are common in flood conditions. These infections cause severe diarrhea with blood, abdominal pain, and fever. They are primarily spread through contaminated food and water.

- Typhoid Fever: This bacterial infection, caused by Salmonella typhi, is spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include prolonged fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite. Without treatment, it can be fatal.

- Hepatitis A and E: These viral infections affect the liver and are spread through ingesting contaminated water or food. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and abdominal pain.


2. Vector-Borne Diseases:


- Malaria: Standing water from floods serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, particularly Anopheles species, which transmit malaria. Symptoms include fever, chills, and flu-like illness. If not treated, it can lead to severe complications and death.

- Dengue Fever: Also spread by mosquitoes, specifically the Aedes aegypti, dengue fever causes high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. Severe dengue can lead to hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal.

- Leptospirosis: Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, this disease is contracted through direct contact with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Symptoms range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe illness, including kidney damage, liver failure, and meningitis.

MCD ignoring complaints of waterlogging, mosquito breeding, say RWAs
Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. In 2022, Delhi reported over 10,000 cases of dengue, a significant increase attributed to prolonged water logging.

3. Respiratory Infections:


- Asthma and Bronchitis: High humidity and mold growth in damp environments can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Mold spores, which proliferate in waterlogged homes, can trigger asthma attacks and chronic bronchitis.

- Pneumonia: Infections of the lungs can occur due to the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or secondary bacterial infections following viral infections like influenza, which are more common in damp and crowded living conditions during floods.



Respiratory diseases image

4. Skin and Eye Infections:


- Dermatitis: Prolonged exposure to contaminated water can lead to skin infections and dermatitis, characterized by red, inflamed, and itchy skin.

 - Conjunctivitis: Eye infections can spread rapidly in flood-affected areas due to poor sanitation and the presence of pathogens in the water.

Pink Eye conjuctivities diagram

Preventive Measures:


1. Access to Clean Water: Ensuring access to safe drinking water through purification methods and distribution of bottled water.

2. Sanitation: Maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene, including the use of clean toilets and proper disposal of waste.

3. Vector Control: Implementing mosquito control programs, including the use of insecticides and promoting the use of bed nets.

4. Health Education: Raising awareness about the importance of boiling water, practicing good hygiene, and seeking medical help early when symptoms of these diseases appear.

5. Vaccination: Promoting vaccinations against diseases like typhoid and hepatitis A in vulnerable populations.

 

By understanding the diseases associated with water logging and flooding, communities can take proactive measures to mitigate these health risks and protect public health during the monsoon season.


Ensuring Food Safety After Heavy Rainfall or Floods

 

After heavy rainfall or floods, it is crucial to take specific measures to ensure food safety and prevent health hazards. Here are some key steps and recommendations:

Good food, contaminated food

 

1. Discard Contaminated Food: Any food that has come into contact with floodwater should be discarded. This includes:

   - Meat, fruits, vegetables, and rice.

   - Food stored in permeable packaging such as cardboard, plastic wrap, and foil.

   - Items in containers that cannot be effectively cleaned, such as cardboard juice boxes and screw-topped jars.

   - When in doubt, throw it out. Contamination may occur without visible signs.

 

2. Clean and Sanitize:

   - Wash recovered food, including undamaged canned and bottled goods, with sterilized or chlorinated water.

   - Sanitize food preparation facilities and cookware.

   - Maintain cleanliness in food handling areas to prevent contamination.

 

3. Safe Water Use:

   - Use only safe, purified water for drinking and food preparation. Boil water or use purifying tablets or a bleach solution (four drops of unscented household bleach per liter of water) and wait at least 30 minutes before using.

   - Ensure that infants under six months are exclusively breastfed and not given water or fluids that may contain harmful microorganisms.

 

4. Maintain Good Hygiene:

   - Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before preparing food and after using the toilet. If running water and soap are unavailable, use water mixed with disinfectant.

   - Separate raw and cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination.

   - Cook food thoroughly and keep it at safe temperatures to avoid bacterial growth.

 

5. Follow Safe Food Handling Practices:

   - Refer to the World Health Organization's Five Keys to Safer Food Programme for comprehensive guidelines on safe food handling. For more information, visit the WHO Safe Food Handling page [here](https://www.who.int/activities/promoting-safe-food-handling).

 

6. Community Awareness and Support:

   - Share safety information with family and neighbors to ensure collective well-being.

   - Follow local authorities' advice regarding food safety.

   - Seek medical help if anyone shows signs of illness, and maintain cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases.

 

By following these steps, communities can significantly reduce the health risks associated with waterlogged conditions and ensure safer food consumption practices during and after flood events. Read more in the flyer below:



Consequences of Water Logging


1. Health Hazards: As mentioned, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. In 2022, Delhi reported over 10,000 cases of dengue, a significant increase attributed to prolonged water logging.


2. Traffic Disruptions: Waterlogged roads cause severe traffic jams and accidents. Public transport is heavily affected, making commuting a nightmare for daily travelers. According to the Delhi Traffic Police, there were over 1,500 traffic disruptions due to water logging in the 2023 monsoon season alone.


3. Economic Impact: The disruption in daily activities and damage to infrastructure have significant economic implications. Businesses face losses due to reduced productivity and operational challenges. A study by ASSOCHAM estimated that water logging in Delhi results in economic losses of approximately ₹1,000 crore annually.


4. Property Damage: Prolonged water logging leads to damage to homes, commercial properties, and public infrastructure. The cost of repairs and maintenance adds to the financial burden on residents and the government. The Delhi Development Authority reported that water logging caused property damage worth over ₹500 crore in 2022.


A locality with waterlogged situation

Vulnerable Populations and Factors Increasing Vulnerability During Heavy Rainfall and Floods


During heavy rainfall and floods, certain population groups are particularly vulnerable, including pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, those reliant on home care, the elderly, individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, tourists, homeless people, minority populations, and socially isolated individuals. Several factors heighten their vulnerability, such as limited physical capacity, restricted mobility, dependence on essential medication and home care, and the need for regular health facility visits. Additionally, weak social networks, poor awareness of flood risks, lack of resources, limited access to information and warnings, and residing in high-risk buildings further exacerbate their susceptibility to the adverse effects of heavy rainfall and flooding. Addressing these factors is crucial to mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and well-being of these vulnerable populations during such extreme weather events.


Conclusion


Water logging after heavy rainfall or flooding is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While the government has a significant role to play in upgrading infrastructure and enforcing regulations, citizens also need to contribute by adopting sustainable practices and maintaining civic responsibility. Only through a collaborative effort can localities hope to combat the challenges of water logging and create a more resilient urban environment.


The monsoon season, with its promise of rejuvenation, should not be a harbinger of distress. It's high time cities transforms its approach to managing rainfall and creates a city where the rains are welcomed without fear of the chaos they bring.


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