Background

In India, owing to the rapid rate of urbanization within metropolitan cities, flooding is a growing problem that is further aggravated due to unplanned water management. Within the Delhi-NCR region in particular, the situation is rather critical, with poor infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems accounting for widespread levels of flooding every monsoon season. 

According to a report published by the Flood Atlas of India, substantial parts of this area remain unprotected and vulnerable to floods, which impact lakhs of people annually. The consistent lack of well-maintained systems worsens the severity of existing issues and leads to property and housing damage, spread of communicable diseases, malnutrition and dehydration. The need to address these challenges posed by flooding is urgent, especially for disadvantaged and remote communities that are forced to face disproportionate consequences due to lack of preparedness, support and safety infrastructure. 

Recognizing that combatting flooding is not just an issue pertaining to water management, but requires interdisciplinary intervention, The Delhi Flood Resilience Initiative was founded to approach this crisis in a way that takes into consideration and protects the lives and livelihoods of underserved groups. Its goal is to combine innovation with enhanced community awareness and engagement for a true long-term solution.