In 2011, the Government of India launched the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project Phase–I (NCRMP-I) to protect vulnerable coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha from cyclones. This initiative aimed to minimize the loss of lives and assets through various mitigation measures. In 2015, the project expanded to NCRMP-II, covering six additional coastal states: Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
A key component of NCRMP-II was the development of Hydro-meteorological Resilient Action Plans (HmRAP) for six selected coastal cities: Panaji (Goa), Porbandar (Gujarat), Mangalore (Karnataka), Kochi (Kerala), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), and Bidhannagar (West Bengal). The consultancy project for creating these plans was executed in a joint venture with Haskoning DHV Nederland B.V. and Tarutium (formerly Taru Leading Edge) in August 2020-2024.
The HmRAPs are designed to enhance the capacity of national, state, and urban local bodies to effectively plan for and respond to hydrometeorological hazards and climate change. These plans will guide decision-makers in improving urban resilience, integrating hydromet information into planning, and developing investment frameworks for climate-resilient initiatives. They identify specific local issues and propose actionable short--, medium---, and long-term steps to bolster urban services and infrastructure resilience.
The consultant team developed six HmRAP for coastal areas. The journey began with an inception report and stakeholder engagement, detailing the methodology and plan for achieving project goals. Stakeholder consultations followed this to review past disasters, disaster risk management programs, and governance frameworks, incorporating feedback on local perceptions of hazards. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and infrastructure mapping were done, and maps were created to understand critical infrastructure systems and urban utilities. Interim reports assessed current and future climate scenarios, including impacts from flooding, cyclonic storm surges, urban heat islands, flooding (pluvial and fluvial), air pollution, and other hazards. These reports also evaluated the cities' vulnerabilities and risks and developed a unique online Map Viewer to visualize these risks. Additionally, an institutional review assessed the capacity of local agencies and provided recommendations for strengthening their resilience strategies.
The project culminated in a final HmRAP document outlining actionable measures and investment strategies for short-, medium---, and long-term resilience improvements. This comprehensive plan aims to guide future actions and investments, improving the cities' ability to recover swiftly from extreme weather events and reducing overall vulnerability and risk.
A key component of NCRMP-II was the development of Hydro-meteorological Resilient Action Plans (HmRAP) for six selected coastal cities: Panaji (Goa), Porbandar (Gujarat), Mangalore (Karnataka), Kochi (Kerala), Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), and Bidhannagar (West Bengal). The consultancy project for creating these plans was executed in a joint venture with Haskoning DHV Nederland B.V. and Tarutium (formerly Taru Leading Edge) in August 2020-2024.
The HmRAPs are designed to enhance the capacity of national, state, and urban local bodies to effectively plan for and respond to hydrometeorological hazards and climate change. These plans will guide decision-makers in improving urban resilience, integrating hydromet information into planning, and developing investment frameworks for climate-resilient initiatives. They identify specific local issues and propose actionable short--, medium---, and long-term steps to bolster urban services and infrastructure resilience.
The consultant team developed six HmRAP for coastal areas. The journey began with an inception report and stakeholder engagement, detailing the methodology and plan for achieving project goals. Stakeholder consultations followed this to review past disasters, disaster risk management programs, and governance frameworks, incorporating feedback on local perceptions of hazards. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and infrastructure mapping were done, and maps were created to understand critical infrastructure systems and urban utilities. Interim reports assessed current and future climate scenarios, including impacts from flooding, cyclonic storm surges, urban heat islands, flooding (pluvial and fluvial), air pollution, and other hazards. These reports also evaluated the cities' vulnerabilities and risks and developed a unique online Map Viewer to visualize these risks. Additionally, an institutional review assessed the capacity of local agencies and provided recommendations for strengthening their resilience strategies.
The project culminated in a final HmRAP document outlining actionable measures and investment strategies for short-, medium---, and long-term resilience improvements. This comprehensive plan aims to guide future actions and investments, improving the cities' ability to recover swiftly from extreme weather events and reducing overall vulnerability and risk.
Guiding Tool for the National Integrated Water Master Plan
Access to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations, essential for health, dignity, and prosperity. Globally, the increasing water demand, driven by population growth and economic development, places significant stress on water resources, highlighting the need for sustainable management. In South Asia, including Bhutan, regional challenges such as climate change and erratic rainfall exacerbate these issues. Despite its high per capita water availability, Bhutan faces difficulties in ensuring safe and affordable water for all due to factors like inadequate infrastructure, poor governance, and the impacts of urbanization. The country’s unique geographic and climatic conditions further complicate water management, with climate change leading to unpredictable water flows and extreme weather events.
In response, Bhutan's Water Vision 2025 underscores the need for sustainable water management to protect ecological integrity and support future generations. The project "Advancing Climate Resilience of the Water Sector (ACREWAS)" is pivotal in enhancing Bhutan's water sector resilience to climate change. It aligns with Bhutan’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It focuses on four components: water governance and institutions, nature-based solutions for resilient watersheds, sustainable water supply and distribution, and knowledge management. Component 1 aims to strengthen water governance, institutions, and financing mechanisms within this framework. This includes developing a Guiding Tool for the National Integrated Water Master Plan (NIWMP) to assist in water resource source and user management.
Tarutium was assigned to develop the tools in close collaboration with UNDP Bhutan and the Ministry of Water in Bhutan. A team of experts developed and prepared a unique six-module and 27 sub-modules with several activities and Guiding Tools in each module to prepare a holistic National Integrated Water Master Plan (NIWMP). This was done to ensure a comprehensive planning approach. It begins with the Baseline Diagnosis module, Policy and Regulation Assessment module, Data Management module, Capacity Building module, Monitoring and Evaluation module, and Finance module. Throughout the process, stakeholder feedback is integrated to keep the plan responsive and aligned with the needs of the NIWMP. This iterative feedback loop is crucial for refining and finalizing the NIWMP, ensuring its effectiveness and adaptability.
The tool addresses climate change and disaster risk reduction concerns to ensure the water sector's resilience to current and future challenges. It also ensures Reliable and sustainable water resources, an Effective and efficient water conveyance system, Stormwater and wastewater management, the Operation and maintenance of water infrastructures, and Compliance with environmental discharge norms.
In response, Bhutan's Water Vision 2025 underscores the need for sustainable water management to protect ecological integrity and support future generations. The project "Advancing Climate Resilience of the Water Sector (ACREWAS)" is pivotal in enhancing Bhutan's water sector resilience to climate change. It aligns with Bhutan’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It focuses on four components: water governance and institutions, nature-based solutions for resilient watersheds, sustainable water supply and distribution, and knowledge management. Component 1 aims to strengthen water governance, institutions, and financing mechanisms within this framework. This includes developing a Guiding Tool for the National Integrated Water Master Plan (NIWMP) to assist in water resource source and user management.
Tarutium was assigned to develop the tools in close collaboration with UNDP Bhutan and the Ministry of Water in Bhutan. A team of experts developed and prepared a unique six-module and 27 sub-modules with several activities and Guiding Tools in each module to prepare a holistic National Integrated Water Master Plan (NIWMP). This was done to ensure a comprehensive planning approach. It begins with the Baseline Diagnosis module, Policy and Regulation Assessment module, Data Management module, Capacity Building module, Monitoring and Evaluation module, and Finance module. Throughout the process, stakeholder feedback is integrated to keep the plan responsive and aligned with the needs of the NIWMP. This iterative feedback loop is crucial for refining and finalizing the NIWMP, ensuring its effectiveness and adaptability.
The tool addresses climate change and disaster risk reduction concerns to ensure the water sector's resilience to current and future challenges. It also ensures Reliable and sustainable water resources, an Effective and efficient water conveyance system, Stormwater and wastewater management, the Operation and maintenance of water infrastructures, and Compliance with environmental discharge norms.
