Climate action for eco-disaster adaptation and risk reduction in Guwahati

Ms. Pratiksha Baruah

(Architect-planner, policy specialist, and sustainability professional, currently a researcher at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India — Joint Research Academy (UQIDAR, i-student.

She can be reached at pratikshabaruah@yahoo.com.)

Assam ranks as the most climate-vulnerable state in the Indian Himalayan region. This underscores the urgent need for a climate adaptation framework that incorporates these assessments to be developed and implemented without delay. Guwahati’s terrain naturally channels rainwater toward the city’s low-lying areas. The situation is further aggravated by anthropogenic factors such as widespread encroachments and pollution of water bodies, outdated and undersized artificial drainage systems choked with silt, plastic, and debris, and inadequately planned infrastructure projects like flyovers, both during and after construction. Loss of green cover on slopes and increased construction of impervious surfaces like roads, pavements, buildings, etc., reduce infiltration/percolation and increase runoff, leading to long-term inundation and landslides at various locations. Additionally, large-scale deforestation, unregulated hill cutting, and most critically, the delayed or absent implementation of flood management measures continue to worsen the crisis. Therefore, it is time for innovative sustainable solutions, particularly against hydromet hazards in Guwahati.

Hydrological and meteorological (or “hydromet”) hazards are responsible for 90% of total disaster losses and projected to become more severe with population growth and rapid urbanisation worldwide. Delving into Guwahati, the city has once again been struck by severe flooding in recent days, a devastating yet recurring crisis that has affected the city for years. Persistent rainfall, compounded by runoff from Meghalaya’s hills, has inundated key areas like Rukminigaon, Hatigaon, Anil Nagar, Chandmari, and Jorabat. Guwahati’s already strained adaptive capacity risks further catastrophic flooding, as the city should have long ago shifted from a reactive disaster recovery and relief-focused approach to a proactive strategy centred on response and risk reduction. As global efforts towards climate resilience and sustainability intensify, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as a crucial strategy, gaining widespread advocacy and recognition. Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), a subset of NbS, encompasses a broad range of ecosystem-based approaches for managing natural hazards. It is important to note that a hazard is defined as “a physical event, phenomenon, or human activity with the potential to cause harm; a hazard does not necessarily result in harm.”

Given the stressful circumstances in Guwahati, a phase-wise implementation of quick-win interventions with near- to long-term outcomes should be prioritised as a proactive initiative in this regard. It is important to map all the existing blue-green infrastructures and conduct climate vulnerability and risk assessments to identify flood-prone areas in the city. NbS strategies should be developed based on distinct locational characteristics upon identifying critical points and areas of risk. A city-wide sponge landscape planning should be focused on consisting of a sustainable urban drainage system and ecosystem-based adaptation.

To leverage the optimum co-benefits of the Eco-DRR solutions, their integration with various other developmental aspects is crucial. Eco-parks (sponge/fluvial park/biodiversity park) and gardens, waterfront development, and urban water body restoration, conservation, and rejuvenation can not only manage floodwater but also enhance eco-tourism appeal. Further, a water-sensitive transportation system incorporating buffer zones, permeable pavements, bio-retention areas, bio-swales, rain gardens, temporary floodwater storage measures in public areas, etc. can reduce waterlogging, thereby maintaining mobility during floods. Placemaking in urban design projects transforms public and road spaces into vibrant, inclusive hubs by integrating multifunctional flood management measures into community-centric spaces, such as revitalised urban parks, community gardens, or interactive green spaces. Additionally, certified green public buildings combined with biophilic architectural integration can play a key role in managing stormwater runoff, while adaptive features can enhance stormwater resilience in the city. Most importantly, slope stabilisation, extensive tree plantation, halting deforestation, and environmental education and awareness are essential to retain ecosystem services and foster behavioural change and address both the root causes and symptoms of urban flooding in an integrated manner. Integrating NbS into Guwahati’s ongoing and proposed development plans across various sectors can enhance the city’s performance in localised Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) rankings and improve its overall imageability. Also, a flood control master plan is crucial for future-proofing Guwahati against increasingly severe and frequent flooding. Stakeholders’ engagement at all stages is imperative throughout the process. At the ward level, localised flood response plans should be formulated by identifying evacuation routes and shelters, and early warning systems should be planned with real-time integration of Indian Meteorological Department data to ensure timely alerts and effective disaster preparedness. Therefore, Guwahati’s quest for climate adaptation requires a multi-faceted approach, wherein comprehensive guidelines, regulations, standards, and tools are subsequently developed to integrate all aspects of the project into local governance mechanisms.