Newsletter: August 14
India Water Portal
India's pioneering knowledge platform for water & related issues!
This summer's heat was relentless, with temperatures reaching 45-46°C for days at a stretch and even hitting 50°C in some areas. After enduring these intense heatwaves, India looked forward to the monsoon. But when the rains arrived, they also brought tragedy, with the Wayanad landslide claiming close to 250 lives. Climate change is making the monsoon more unpredictable, causing extreme weather and longer dry spells. A recent study shows that over 80% of Indian districts are facing severe heat waves, and 70% are experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall during the monsoon. These extreme conditions are becoming more common. While climate change is a big factor, we need to ask: where are we going wrong? In this newsletter, we discuss the recent events in Wayanad and the Mumbai floods. We also?explore?how to better prepare for such disasters and how collaboration between government, planners, and communities can build resilience against climate impacts.
On July 30, 2024, Wayanad, Kerala, was struck by a catastrophic landslide that claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. This underscores Wayanad’s long-standing vulnerability to landslides, worsened by climate change, deforestation, and rapid urbanisation.
8 min read
The recent deluge in Mumbai reveals critical flaws in its flood management and urban planning. Though the city has upgraded its drainage with pumps and floodgates, issues like unchecked development and climate-induced extreme weather persist.
6 min read
iFOREST’s assessment reveals that Heat Action Plans (HAPs) failed to effectively address this year’s severe heatwaves, with Delhi’s plan criticized for its late rollout and poor preparation. It proposes a new Heat and Cooling Action Plan (HCAP), urging heatwaves be declared national disasters, improving HAP guidelines, and ensuring cities create strong, well-funded plans for extreme heat and cooling.
5 min read
A study by IPE Global and ESRI India shows 84% of Indian districts face severe heatwaves, while 70% also experience erratic rainfall due to climate change. The study calls for a Heat Risk Observatory and heat-risk champions in disaster management to boost climate resilience.
7 min read
领英推荐
Landslides occur in different parts of India every year. How can community involvement help in resilience building to landslides? What do real life experiences show?
11 min read
Want to partner with India Water Portal or contribute your article? Write to us at [email protected]
Follow us on
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | Website