Given their frequent recurrence in Indian cities, the problem of urban flooding is gaining focus in policy discussions. Indeed, urban floods can cause massive loss of infrastructure, property, and lives, and have a substantial economic impact.

According to this new analysis of the top 20 costliest extreme climate disasters over 2023 has revealed a “global postcode lottery stacked against the poor” where the relative economic impact of disasters varies considerably across countries.

This Report of the Standing Committee on Water Resources (2023-24) deals with the action taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the Twenty Third Report on ‘Glacier Management in the Country – Monitoring of Glaciers / Lakes Including Glacial Lake Outbursts leading to Flash-Floods in the Himalayan Region’.

Setting up a fund for loss and damage is one of the achievements of COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. However, ambiguity remains regarding its functions and set-up. This briefing paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the gendered dimensions of both economic and non-economic losses and damages in Asia.

India grappled with extreme weather events for 235 days out of the first nine months of 2023, a slight decrease from the 241 days recorded in the same period last year, as per India 2023: An assessment of extreme weather events brought out by Down To Earth (DTE) magazine and the Centre for Science and Environment.

Around 1,480 hectares of land along the Ganga-Padma in Murshidabad district of West Bengal have been eroded during the last 15 years, according to Government of West Bengal, said Tudu.

Confronted with an increase in floods, droughts and other natural hazards, cities and regions are alert to find climate proof solutions that overcome the limitations of traditional grey infrastructure.

Majority of Himalayan glaciers analysed are melting or retreating at varying rates in different regions, the government has said. It has noted that melting glaciers due to any impact of climate change will not only severely affect the flow in Himalayan river system but will also give rise to natural disasters.