In most parts of India, the monsoon is a harbinger of prosperity. Yet, for Delhi, it signals impending trouble. As always, the season brought images of flooded streets, hours-long traffic jams, road mishaps, and cars swimming in water to the forefront. The burning question is—why does Delhi succumb to floods every monsoon?
Experts and government data point to Delhi's vanishing lakes, poor stormwater management, clogged drains, and unchecked construction as the primary culprits.
Source: aajtak
Shrinking Lakes
A decade ago, Bhalswa Lake spanned an area comparable to three football fields. Lush greenery surrounded it, and the view from neighboring DDA flats was breathtaking. But today, the lake has all but vanished. This isn't an isolated case. Many of Delhi's lakes have dried up or transformed into parks and garbage dumps.
Source: aajtak
Out of Delhi's 193 recorded lakes, at least 14 have completely disappeared over the past decade. Nearly 60 lakes are almost completely dried, and only 13 retain water during the rainy season.
Source: aajtak
India Today verified reports from the NGT and Central Pollution Control Board using Google Earth and satellite imagery. The findings show that many lakes have shrunk or are filled with waste. Efforts by the Delhi government have led to the revival of some lakes, but according to the NGT, only 57 out of 193 are in good condition.
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Notable lakes like Mayapuri Lake (Narayana), Tihar Lake (Hari Nagar), Smriti Van (Vasant Kunj), Tughlaqabad Fort Pond, and Madipur Lake are now off the map. Meanwhile, lakes such as Sanjay Lake and Smritivan Kondli have significantly shrunk and suffer from pollution.
Why Are Lakes Important?
Lakes and wetlands are crucial for maintaining environmental balance. They're often referred to as the 'kidneys of the landscape' because they absorb rainwater, protecting cities from flooding. Using satellite data, India Today's OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) team developed a land-use map of Delhi. It reveals that concrete areas have increased by 13.5%, while vegetative and water regions have drastically reduced.
Source: aajtak
The area of water bodies has decreased from 66.2 square kilometers to just 40.3 square kilometers, marking a 39% drop. Green cover has diminished from 210.66 to 146.98 square kilometers, about a 30% reduction.
A study by the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NISPR) concurs. From LULC maps created between 1998 and 2018, it was observed that built-up areas in Delhi increased from 36 to 50 square kilometers (17.5% rise). Meanwhile, forests and vegetation decreased by 10%, and lakes reduced to less than half.
The Drainage Dilemma
Another major factor is Delhi's drainage system. The city still operates on the master plan developed in 1976, which can only handle 50 mm of rain. At that time, Delhi's population was 6 million, which has now increased fourfold. A study by IIT Delhi shows that the city's drainage capacity falls short by 30-40%. The situation worsens with unsanitary drains, filled with dust, dirt, and garbage, and debris from street construction projects clogging the system further.
Previously, around half of the rainwater soaked into the ground, with the rest flowing off the surface. Now, much of the ground is covered by concrete. As a result, most of the rainwater ends up on the roads instead of seeping into the ground, and the entire drainage system gets overwhelmed within hours.
