Common problem;common strategy

Global warming’s effects are becoming evidently undeniable across the globe, manifesting through rising temperatures, extreme weather phenomena, and disruptions to ecosystems and human health. At the core of these changes lies the enhanced greenhouse effect, where elevated levels of greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a cascade of environmental consequences. India, in particular, is facing escalating climate challenges. Severe heatwaves have pushed temperatures above 50°C in several regions during 2024 and 2025, with projections indicating that both the frequency and intensity of such heat events will increase further. The Himalayan glaciers, a vital water source for millions, are melting rapidly, posing long-term risks to water security and causing short-term flooding in vulnerable areas. Northeast India is already experiencing significant impacts, including rising temperatures, highly variable rainfall, and more recurrent extreme weather events like floods. Reports from Down To Earth and the World Bank highlight how the north east region has witnessed torrential rains leading to severe flooding and landslides, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and property across states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. These events reflect a worsening climate vulnerability, demanding urgent mitigation and adaptation efforts to safeguard the environment, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. A unified, comprehensive strategy is crucial to effectively combat floods in Northeast India, given the region’s vulnerability and the limitations of existing localized approaches. This strategy should integrate structural and non-structural measures, community participation, and advanced technologies for sustainable flood management. Many rivers in the Northeast flow through multiple states and even countries, requiring coordinated management rather than isolated efforts. The region’s hilly terrain, high rainfall, and frequent landslides necessitate tailored solutions that consider the specific geographical and climatic conditions of each area. Floods in one area can exacerbate problems in another, highlighting the need for a holistic approach that addresses the entire river basin. This should include a detailed assessment of flood-prone areas, flood forecasting and warning systems, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities for different stakeholders. Central funding should prioritise strengthening of embankments, river training works and anti-erosion measure to manage water flow and prevent bank erosion. In lowlying areas prone to flood and inundation, there is need to upgrade drainage systems in urban and rural areas to effectively manage rainwater runoff. Also there is need to consider restriction of construction and human settlements in high-risk floodplains. Communities living in low lying and plains should be involved in planning, implementation, and maintenance of flood management measures. there is also need for developing and disseminating timely and accurate flood forecasts through various channels. Disaster Management Agencies of all flood prone states should have a common strategy for training communities on evacuation procedures, emergency response, relief measures and post-flood recovery. In response, the Indian government is actively pursuing various initiatives to combat climate change. These include promoting renewable energy sources, implementing climate-smart agriculture, enhancing green cover, and adopting comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the Press Information Bureau. As climate hazards intensify, such proactive measures are critical to building resilience and securing a sustainable future amid a changing climate.