Page 75 - Shelter, October 2024
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CASE STUDY
partners with marginalized neighbourhoods near Haji the Municipal Corporation
urban populations in Ali face regular inundation, of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)
climate-sensitive regions, particularly during monsoons and included a survey of key
focusing on understanding and high tides. In Trombay flood hotspots, enhancing the
climate change impacts from and Govandi, the situation accuracy and inclusivity of
their perspectives. YUVA’s is worsened by nearby flood dynamics and disaster
approach emphasises that industrial zones, which management strategies.
addressing climate action exacerbate drainage problems
through a justice lens means due to inadequate Solid While acknowledging the
tackling the root causes of Waste Management. Eastern geographical and physical
vulnerability, not merely suburbs like Diva and Kalwa implications of flooding is
the economic impacts. It experience recurrent flooding critical, it is equally important
calls for considering social from river overflows during to recognise the heightened
inequalities, such as the heavy rains, with low-lying impact of climate-induced
flooding on mental health. As
disproportionate exposure of areas, often reclaimed land
marginalised communities to or riverbank developments, highlighted by YUVA in The
Mariwala Health Initiative
climate risks and their limited at risk from both natural and Journal and the REFrame
access to recovery resources. human-induced changes such
This ensures that climate as blocked waterways and article on environmental
health, flooding, exacerbated
resilience efforts are inclusive reduced green spaces. by climate change, causes
and tailored to the needs of In addition to this, a significant psychological
those most affected.
participatory approach to distress, including anxiety,
The initial phase of the city-level flood mapping depression, and post-
CHM involved mapping was initiated by YUVA traumatic stress disorder
the most vulnerable groups, in partnership with the (PTSD) (Parmar et. al.
particularly informal Interdisciplinary Program in 2022). This is particularly
settlements known as Climate Studies at the Indian severe in marginalised
bastis. This was followed by Institute of Technology communities, especially
pinpointing climate hotspots Bombay, addressing gaps amongst youth, in Mumbai
through a detailed analysis in traditional flood maps and other flood-prone areas
of hazards such as flooding, that often exclude slums of India. In Ambojwadi, for
landslides, sea-level rise, and (Tripathy et al. 2024). example, the ongoing stress
air pollution. Approximately 40 YUVA fuelled by constant eviction
staff and volunteers were threats and rebuilding from
Findings from CHM revealed trained to collect real-time climate impact each season
that areas like Bhayander flood depth and hotspot data exacerbates mental health
and Malvani-Ambujwadi, using WhatsApp and Google issues (YUVA, 2018). The
located along Mumbai’s Forms. This real-time data article underscores the need
western coast, are especially validated other sources and for nuanced approaches
prone to tidal flooding due provided a comprehensive that integrate mental health
to their proximity to the representation of flood support into disaster response
sea and the high density impacts in Mumbai’s bastis. and recovery plans, ensuring
of informal settlements. The study also incorporated that services address the
Similar vulnerabilities are data from Automatic specific needs of affected
observed in Worli, where Weather Stations set up by regions effectively.
October, 2024, Volume 25. No.1 - SHELTER 73
