New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The current floods in Punjab are not only a natural disaster but also human-made. A major reason for this is the obstruction of surface water flow. This is the reason why flood water has stagnated in urban and rural areas of Punjab.

According to government think tank NITI Aayog's Report of the Committee Constituted for Formulation of Strategy for Flood Management Works in Entire Country and River Management Activities and Works Related to Border Areas (2021-26), published in January 2021, obstruction of surface water drainage occurs when natural or artificial drains are not able to carry the drainage of rainwater within a reasonable time. This causes waterlogging and damage.

The NITI Aayog report has found that thi...