In the wake of Cyclone Michaung’s devastation in Chennai, India, a grave warning emerges: a dozen Indian cities, including Chennai, might face a perilous future submerged under three feet of water by the century’s end. The recent deluge in Chennai, marked by 40 cm of rainfall within 48 hours by December 4, 2023, served as a harrowing testament to the vulnerability of urban centers in India amidst climate-induced disasters.
Cyclone Michaung’s wrath claimed lives and wreaked havoc in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with images of submerged infrastructure and washed-away vehicles haunting the aftermath. While the cyclone was a catalyst, the root causes of these catastrophes delve deeper: inadequate urban planning, overwhelmed drainage systems, and encroachments on vital water bodies exacerbate the situation.
This urgent call underscores the imperative for immediate, coordinated action to fortify cities against climate-induced disasters and mitigate future risks.
