IITs & CSTEP unveil district-level climate risk assessment report

guwahati: iit guwahati, iit mandi, and cstep bengaluru have jointly released the “district-level climate risk assessment for india,” a comprehensive report addressing flood and drought risks across indian districts using the ipcc framework. launched on december 13, 2024, by dignitaries from dst and the swiss agency for development and cooperation (sdc), the report offers vital insights into climate vulnerabilities.dr. anita gupta, head of scientific divisions, dst, highlighted the report's importance in identifying vulnerabilities and translating findings into actionable strategies to foster climate resilience. the study, supported by dst and sdc, analyzes over 600 districts, identifying 51 districts as facing "very high" flood risks and 91 as having "very high" drought risks. alarmingly, 11 districts, including patna and kendrapara, are at "very high" risk for both.the findings align with india's disaster risk reduction agenda and emphasize tailored adaptation strategies to protect livelihoods. prof. devendra jalihal, iit guwahati, emphasized the report's relevance for effective mitigation planning.researchers underlined the need for state-level capacity building and integrating climate risk assessments into adaptation plans. workshops conducted during the project have fostered a collaborative knowledge network.this initiative underscores india's commitment to addressing climate challenges through data-driven approaches, promoting sustainable development and a resilient future.