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How to Safeguard your Home from the Disasters of an Erratic Monsoon

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Published on August 27, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

The impact of climate change on human lives and livelihoods is here for all of us to see. More and more natural calamities are occurring every year. These disasters are bringing down homes and businesses at an unbelievable pace, putting food systems at risk. Climate-associated issues such as extreme heat, sub-zero temperatures, cyclones, cloudbursts triggered floods, loss of biodiversity and the failure to promptly tackle these challenges can be seen in reports published by several global organisations such as WEF, World Bank, and IMF. In light of these challenges, property insurers too, are now factoring in climate risk as part of their management decisions and addressing climate-related risk by offering innovative solutions to their customers.

Climate Changes and Indian Monsoon

Since time immemorial, the arrival of monsoon was considered as a time to rejoice, ushering in a whiff of cool breeze and rain for crops, as a much needed relief from the sweltering summers. Monsoon contributed to a serene and jubilant mood across the country with every Indian state celebrating a local festival owing to its arrival.

Yet, the arrival of monsoon over the last two decades has been met with apprehension.  Instances of climate change linked erratic monsoon wreaking havoc across India and causing enormous damage to human life and property are on an increase each year. Here are some of the recent disasters triggered by an erratic monsoon in India:

1. Large-Scale Flooding

   Monsoons now bring short, intense bursts of rain instead of steady showers that replenished the soil. In 2020, swollen rivers flooded large tracts of villages and farmlands, destroying homes and crops in the north and eastern parts of the country. Even wildlife was not spared with over 100 wild animals drowning due to overflowing rivers entering Assam’s Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary.

   Even the metro cities in India couldn’t save themselves from the effects of erratic monsoon. Unplanned urbanisation, construction activity over wetlands and waterbodies, and an overwhelmed drainage system in cities like Mumbai only multiplied the monsoon woes with flooded roads, collapse of old and dilapidated buildings.

2. Cloudbursts and Landslides

   In July this year, the monsoon cloudbursts triggered landslides and flash floods in the western Himalayan region. States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand received rainfall of 110 percent above normal and ended up with severe damage to property and human life.

3. Rockslides

   A rockslide occurred this July in a mountainous region of Himachal Pradesh with large boulders destroying an iron bridge with boarded cars along with 50 houses and roads in the adjoining area. Loss of lives occurred with mostly tourists reportedly struck by the rock debris as they had no time to escape.

Why do you Need Home Insurance?

Irrespective of where you reside in India today, excessive rainwater and floods during the monsoon pose a major challenge to your home, making a strong case for home insurance. Here’s why it is necessary to insure your home and its contents with a comprehensive house insurance plan:

1. Coverage against Structural Damage and Valuables

   A comprehensive home insurance policy like the one offered by HDFC ERGO provides financial coverage against structural damage like walls and also to valuables like jewellery, etc., present inside.
   

2. Coverage against Auxiliary Damage

   During the monsoon, water may enter your home destroying the floor or stagnant rainwater may result in a weakened roof, or water leakage may occur through joints and cracks. In such cases, a house insurance plan covers the repair costs to get these damages fixed.
   

3. Coverage against Electrical Malfunction

   Any damage caused to the home due to an electrical malfunction like a short circuit caused by water leakage is covered under home insurance.

4. Coverage against Damage to Personal Belongings

   Damage caused to personal belongings such as furniture inside the house is also covered under home insurance.

5. Restoration and Replacement

   A  house insurance plan covers the cost of repair and replacement of electronics and household appliances during damage to the home and also provides you with alternate accommodation while your home is being restored after a lightning strike.

Conclusion 

With several homes and lives getting devastated in the blink of an eye during each monsoon, it only makes sense to protect your home with a comprehensive house insurance policy. Whether it is an old home or a new one, a home insurance policy can be a financial saviour that can help you cover the costs of damage caused to your home structure and its contents due to the monsoon.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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