The southwest monsoon season of 2025 ended with record-breaking rainfall across north India. While the heavy rains boosted kharif crop sowing and reservoir levels, they also caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread disruption. Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and metropolitan areas like Delhi and Gurugram faced major challenges. This event marks the complex interaction of natural and human factors behind extreme weather impacts in the region.
Monsoon Rainfall and Agricultural Impact
The monsoon brought above-normal rainfall, aiding summer crop sowing and replenishing soil moisture for winter crops. Reservoirs across the region recorded higher water levels. Punjab, a key agricultural state, saw 0.4 million hectares of crops damaged out of 3.2 million hectares due to floods. One day in Punjab recorded 1,272% excess rainfall, an unprecedented figure. Such rainfall supports agriculture but also risks crop loss and soil erosion.
Flooding and Landslides in Himalayan States
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir suffered flash floods and landslides. Twenty-one cloudburst events occurred in the Himalayas over two months. These sudden intense downpours led to severe flooding and a rising death toll. The fragile mountain ecology and steep slopes make these areas highly vulnerable to rain-triggered disasters.
Urban Vulnerability and Infrastructure Challenges
Cities like Delhi and Gurugram experienced severe waterlogging and flooding. The swollen Yamuna River displaced about 14,000 people in low-lying parts of Delhi. In Gurugram, 100 mm of rain halted normal life. Urban drainage systems were overwhelmed due to poor maintenance and encroachment on natural water bodies. Rapid urbanisation without adequate planning worsens flood risks in cities.
Meteorological Causes of Extreme Rainfall
Extreme rainfall events are increasing even as rainy days decline. The severe floods in north India resulted from the unusual interaction of western disturbances and moisture-laden easterlies from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Western disturbances are storms originating in the Mediterranean that usually bring winter rains but this year were frequent during the monsoon season, causing heavy precipitation.
Human Factors and Environmental Concerns
Manmade activities aggravate the impact of extreme rainfall. Deforestation and road construction in ecologically sensitive Himalayan zones loosen soil and increase landslide risk. Urban sprawl encroaches on lakes, ponds, and floodplains, reducing natural water absorption. Poor spatial planning and lack of flood-resilient infrastructure increase vulnerability to floods and waterlogging.
Need for Sustainable Development and Preparedness
The recent floods show the urgent need for sustainable development policies. Protecting forests and regulating construction in sensitive areas can reduce disaster risk. Urban areas must upgrade drainage and rainwater harvesting systems. Smart city initiatives should prioritise flood resilience. Better spatial planning to prevent construction on wetlands and floodplains is essential to mitigate future impacts.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the impact of climate change and urbanisation on flood frequency and severity in India.
- Examine the role of western disturbances in influencing the Indian monsoon and its variability.
- Analyse the challenges of disaster management in mountainous regions and propose sustainable solutions.
- Estimate the importance of urban planning and infrastructure development in flood risk reduction and how policy reforms can address these issues.
