Guwahati: The World Bank has approved a loan to help Assam to reduce the vulnerability of people to climate-related disasters and improve integrated water resources management, the official said on Saturday.
The bank has approved $108 million (approximately Rs. 889 crores) to benefit around six million people.
The project is part of a larger $500 million investment program for the state.
According to official, the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Project will help the state reduce vulnerability to floods and river erosion by building green infrastructure in the Beki and Buridehing river basins, protecting around one lakh people.
The project will help government agencies to respond faster during a crisis with upgraded state and district emergency operational centres.
The official also stated that the project will help strengthen the state’s response to disasters through improved flood forecasting and accurate early warning systems, including mobile alerts.
At least 10,000 people will get shelter facilities including access to climate-resilient flood shelters and safer evacuation, official added.
In 2022, a flood badly affected millions of people in the state and this project will build on the state’s disaster risk management approach thus contributing to climate-resilient growth while protecting lives and property for the people of Assam, official said.
The government of Assam has projected an increase in extreme rainfall events by 5-35 percent and an increase in the rise of flood events by more than 25 percent due to climate change, official added.
