EnvironmentGovernance
News 4 of 20

Urban Floods & Heat Islands: Disaster Management Act 2025 Amendment & Finance Commission Inclusion of Heatwaves

EnvironmentPolityInfrastructureCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:3-4°C higher temperatures in city centresBuilt-up land: 8% to 74% (Bengaluru 1973-2013)Urban population: 951 million by 2050144 million new homes by 207065% of settlements without master plan<4,000 sanctioned town-planner posts vs 12,000 required
Bodies:United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionWorld BankIndian Institute of Science (IISc)NITI AayogIndia Meteorological Department (IMD)Home Ministry
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.A natural hazard becomes a disaster when it meets vulnerable urban infrastructure, lack of planning, and exposed populations.

2.The 2025 amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 41A) allows Urban Disaster Management Authorities for large cities, but implementation is slow.

3.Heatwaves and lightning were included as notified natural calamities for the 2026-31 Finance Commission period, enabling fund use for relief and mitigation.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This article explains why Indian cities are increasingly vulnerable to urban disasters like floods and heatwaves, linking climate change with unplanned urbanization. Key structural issues include the loss of natural drainage, lack of master plans, and the recent 2025 amendment to the Disaster Management Act for city-level authorities. For exams, this connects Disaster Management (GS-3), Urbanization (GS-1), and Environment (GS-3).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Temperature DifferenceIndian city centres can be 3-4°C higher than surrounding areas (World Bank)
Bengaluru Land Use Change (1973-2013)Built-up land: 8% to 74%; Vegetation: 68% to <15% (IISc)
Urban Population Forecast (2050)951 million
New Homes Required By 2070144 million
Urban Settlements Without Master Plan65% of 7,933 (NITI Aayog 2021)
Sanctioned Town-Planner Posts vs Requirement<4,000 sanctioned vs 12,000 required
Avoidable Flood Losses By 2030$5 billion annually (World Bank)
Avoidable Flood Losses By 2070$30 billion annually (World Bank)
Lives Saved by Heat Mitigation By 2050130,000+
Key Legal ChangeDisaster Management Act 2025 amendment: Section 41A
New Notified Calamities (2026-31 Finance Commission)Heatwaves and lightning

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Temperature Difference: Indian city centres can be 3-4°C higher than surrounding areas (World Bank)
  • ›Bengaluru Land Use Change (1973-2013): Built-up land: 8% to 74%; Vegetation: 68% to <15% (IISc)
  • ›Target this Data: 65% of urban settlements have no master plan (NITI Aayog 2021).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Urban Disaster Management Authority (under Section 41A of Disaster Management Act 2025 amendment).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 41A of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (as amended in 2025) allows Urban Disaster Management Authorities.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which Act was amended in 2025 to allow the creation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The 2025 amendment to the Disaster Management Act allows for the creation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities in all cities with a municipal corporation, including Delhi and Chandigarh.

2. Heatwaves and lightning were included in the list of notified natural calamities for the 2026-31 Finance Commission period.

3. The Urban Disaster Management Authority is to be chaired by the Municipal Commissioner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the World Bank, how many lives could be saved by 2050 through measures to reduce extreme heat?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason why the same amount of rain can cause severe flooding in one city but not another, according to the article?

All 15 MCQs ▸
Read original article from Indian Express
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
EnvironmentView Topic MCQs →PolityView Topic MCQs →InfrastructureView Topic MCQs →
PreviousRevised FDI Norms for Land-Bordering Countries Attract ₹4,895.65 Cr Investment (29 Proposals)Next ₹62,500 Cr Smartphone Manufacturing Scheme: Two-Track Strategy for PLI Successor & Indian Brands
Related Current Affairs
Environment Current Affairs

MCD Adopts 3-Pronged Approach for Legacy Waste: Decentralised Processing, Sustainable Treatment Mix, Institutional Strengthening

Delhi's MCD, with World Bank experts, has proposed a 3-pronged strategy to clear decades-old legacy waste at Bhalswa, Okhla, and Ghazipur landfills. The plan integrates global best practices from Tokyo, New York, and Barcelona but faces challenges from rainfall, fresh waste influx, and implementation gaps.

Environment Current Affairs

Heatwaves Notified as Natural Calamity; States Access ₹2.04 Lakh Cr Disaster Fund Pool

The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified heatwaves and lightning as 'natural calamities,' unlocking full access to the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRF + SDMF) for heat-related relief and mitigation. This follows the Sixteenth Finance Commission's recommendation of ₹2.04 lakh crore for state disaster funds (2026-31), a 28% increase. For aspirants, this is a crucial update linking disaster governance, constitutional provisions (Article 280), and climate adaptation finance.

Environment Current Affairs

Centre Amends EIA 2006: Port Environmental Clearance Validity Doubled to 20 Years, Extendable to 30

The Centre has doubled the validity of environmental clearances for ports and harbours from 10 years to a minimum of 20 years, with provisions for two five-year extensions. This amendment to the EIA 2006 notification aims to rationalise the clearance framework for long-gestation port projects, reducing compliance burden while maintaining environmental safeguards. For exam aspirants, this is a key policy change linking environmental regulation, infrastructure development, and governance.

Environment Current Affairs

SC-NBWL Clears 1,800 MW Hydropower Project in Panna-Ranipur Tiger Corridor Despite DFO Concerns

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended clearance for a 1,800 MW pumped storage hydropower project in the Panna-Ranipur tiger corridor, overruling objections from a Madhya Pradesh forest officer who warned of corridor fragmentation. The project requires 411.48 hectares of forest land and will be allowed with mitigation measures including three wildlife overpasses. This decision highlights the tension between renewable energy expansion and wildlife conservation.

Environment Current Affairs

Delhi Govt Notifies Winter Pollution Plan: Mandatory Construction Curbs from Nov 1 to Feb 28

Delhi government has notified a permanent winter pollution plan (Nov 1-Feb 28) that makes construction curbs mandatory regardless of AQI levels, replacing the earlier AQI-linked system. Real estate industry bodies (NAREDCO, CII) have raised concerns about livelihoods and supply chains, pushing for a nuanced 'do's and don'ts' list. The plan includes a strict ban on demolition and open civil construction from Nov 1-Jan 31, and an even more stringent window from Dec 10-Jan 20 where only essential government projects continue.

Environment Current Affairs

Delhi Winter Action Plan: Blanket Construction Ban Oct-Jan, NAREDCO Seeks Review Citing Scientific Basis

Delhi's new winter action plan imposes a blanket ban on construction from Nov 1 to Jan 31, delinked from AQI levels. Realty body NAREDCO has sought a review, citing lack of scientific source assessment and heavy economic impact on developers and migrant workers. This pits pollution control against livelihood and sectoral growth.

Environment Current Affairs

CAQM Announces Phased Ban on Petrol, Diesel, CNG Light Goods Vehicles in Delhi-NCR from 2027

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered a phased ban on the registration of new petrol, diesel, and CNG light goods vehicles in Delhi and the NCR to curb air pollution. The ban starts in Delhi for smaller LGVs (N1 category) from January 1, 2027, and extends to other NCR cities later. This is a critical policy shift for exam aspirants focusing on environmental regulations, statutory bodies, and urban transport.

Environment Current Affairs

Delhi Winter Action Plan: BS-VI Entry Curbs, 50% WFH, Construction Ban Nov 1-Jan 31

Delhi has formalized a permanent winter action plan with vehicle curbs (BS-VI entry restriction), 50% work-from-home mandate, construction bans, and doubled parking charges from November 1. This institutionalized approach under CAQM marks a shift from reactive to proactive pollution management, a key theme for environment and governance exams.

Start Today's Quiz(15 Qs)