This publication describes India’s fi rst comprehensive city-level fl ood forecasting and early warning system. Located in Kolkata, the system provides forecasts and real-time updates on rainfall and inundation levels, among other climate and environmental data, thereby strengthening the city’s resilience.

The Indian subcontinent finally broke the streak of poor Monsoon years. This is the first above normal Monsoon since 2013. Furthermore, 2019 is possibly the best Monsoon year since 1994. Equally heartening is the fact that the spatial distribution of rainfall has been good this year. Monsoon, though unpredictable, has its own dynamics.

Low-income households around the world are particularly vulnerable to shocks, but also the least prepared when a shock hits. The effects of climate change, including floods, droughts, and other weather-related disasters, are adding another layer of risk for already vulnerable households.

This publication focuses on the important theme of regional cooperation for DRR in Asia. Community based trans-boundary early warning systems for flood risk have been given special importance in this issue because of their significance in South Asia.