IIT Guwahati, IIT Mandi, and CSTEP Bengaluru Highlight Regional Climate Risks in New Report

IITs and CSTEP Bengaluru released the report “District-Level Climate Risk Assessment for India”, mapping flood and drought risks using the IPCC framework. The study highlights the dual challenges of floods and droughts. Check details here

District-Level Climate Risk Assessment for India

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with IIT Mandi and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru, released the report “District-Level Climate Risk Assessment for India: Mapping Flood and Drought Risks Using IPCC Framework.” Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Embassy of Switzerland, the report presents a detailed analysis of climate risks at the district level. It identifies the dual threats of floods and droughts, highlighting their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, and emphasizes the urgent need for region-specific adaptation strategies to build resilience.

The report was launched by Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Divisions at DST; Pierre-Yves Pitteloud, Senior Regional Advisor for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); Dr. Susheela Negi, Scientist-F at DST; and Dr. Swati Jain, Scientist-E at DST, with virtual participation from Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi.

Findings of Report

The report identifies 51 Indian districts at "Very High" flood risk and 118 at "High" risk, with vulnerable regions in Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha, and Jammu and Kashmir. For droughts, 91 districts are at "Very High" risk, and 188 face "High" risk, mainly in Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra. Alarmingly, 11 districts, including Patna, Alappuzha, and Kendrapara, are at "Very High" risk for both floods and droughts. The study provides a comprehensive view of district-level risks, supporting data-driven adaptation planning in line with India's disaster risk reduction agenda.

The report emphasises the importance of capacity building at the state level, equipping climate change cells and relevant departments with tools and methodologies to integrate risk assessments into adaptation plans. Workshops and training sessions conducted as part of the study have helped create a knowledge network among state departments, academic institutions, and local stakeholders.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Divisions, DST, emphasised, “Climate change is one of the most formidable challenges of our time, impacting agriculture, livelihoods, and every aspect of life. Through this report we take a significant step towards identifying vulnerabilities, assessing sensitivity, and addressing challenges faced by local communities at risk. Translating these findings into on-ground actions is essential, and the insights must reach every stakeholder at both national and state levels. Together, we will fast-track our goals for a Viksit Bharat and Net Zero Bharat by 2047.”

During his address, Pierre-Yves Pitteloud, Senior Regional Advisor, SDC, highlighted, “Achieving sustainable development requires a careful balance with climate resilience. For regions like the Himalayas, it is crucial to integrate climate adaptability with economic growth. With its rapid economic expansion and diverse climate challenges, India has a unique opportunity to set an example. Addressing climate change demands collective efforts on both national and global scales, along with sharing knowledge for sustainable management.”

Sharing his thoughts on the report, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “India’s agrarian society is deeply dependent on the monsoon, making the challenges posed by climate change, such as droughts and excessive rainfall, increasingly critical. This report, a collaboration between DST, SDC, provides a comprehensive risk assessment for over 600 districts, offering invaluable insights for effective mitigation strategies. I applaud IIT Guwahati, IIT Mandi and CSTEP researchers for this significant contribution.”

Speaking about the application of this report, Prof. Ravindranath, IISc Bengaluru, said, “This report provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, enabling them to devise targeted solutions that consider the distinct needs of each region. Effective planning and execution of climate change policies are essential for driving impactful, long-term outcomes. By highlighting these regional disparities, the report serves as a crucial tool in guiding effective action. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing climate resilience across India, ensuring that our efforts are both relevant and impactful in mitigating the effects of climate change.”

Speaking about the importance of the report, Dr. Anamika Barua, IIT Guwahati researcher, said, “This exercise is unique as it develops risk profiles for Indian states and districts using a common methodology based on the IPCC risk framework. Engaging state stakeholders not only built their capacity but also made the process highly inclusive, going beyond a purely academic endeavor. Such projects enhance science communication, fostering better adaptation planning.”

Speaking about the research, Dr. Shyamasree Dasgupta, IIT Mandi researcher, said, “This research project helped us develop all India district level maps concerning flood and drought risk and identify the drivers that augmented the risk. States also have come up with risk assessments for their own states. This project is highly data intensive and highlights the need for timely data availability on basic indicators of the location.”

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