Mains Focus ROBUST MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE HOLDS THE KEY TO PREVENTING WATERLOGGING AND HEALTH HAZARDS DURING MONSOON "India’s urban population crossed 497 million in 2023 and is projected to reach 600 million by 2036. Yet 314 cities reported at least one “flood emergency day” in the last five monsoons (IMD urban rainfall bulletin, 2024). The Comptroller and Auditor General’s 2024 compendium covering 18 States found a 42 percent gap between municipal resources and expenditure and a mere 29 percent of spending on core development works. The result is a cycle of waterlogging, vector-borne disease, and productivity loss that can shave 0.7 percent off annual State GSDP (NITI Aayog municipal finance simulations, 2023)." https://blog.lukmaanias.com/2025/06/02/robust-municipal-governance-holds-the-key-to-preventing-waterlogging-and-health-hazards-during-monsoon/ ..