Assam Initiates Major Flood Resilience Project with School Conversions and New Shelters

Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) will convert 30 schools across nine districts into flood shelters and build 10 new multipurpose shelters. The initiative aims to enhance disaster response and community resilience under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Programme (AIRBMP), with $135 million allocated for the first phase.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) announced on Wednesday its plans to transform 30 schools into flood shelters across nine districts as part of the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Programme (AIRBMP). These districts include Baksa, Barpeta, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, and Majuli. Additionally, ASDMA will construct 10 new multipurpose flood shelters.

During a contract signing event, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, CEO of ASDMA, formalized an agreement with GKW Consult GmBH & Vision EIS Consulting Pvt Ltd, who will oversee the retrofit and construction of these facilities. Tripathi emphasized the importance of close monitoring to ensure the project's efficient implementation.

The retrofitting aims to make these shelters multi-hazard resilient, benefiting both flood-affected individuals and students. The new multipurpose flood shelters will serve communities during non-flood seasons as well. Under AIRBMP, 50 Circle Quick Response Teams (CQRTs) have been established across 50 revenue circles in 18 districts to act as first responders during emergencies.

These CQRTs will be supported by a Material Bank housing lifesaving equipment and will undergo training in basic life support and search & rescue techniques. Materials banks will be installed in select circles across Barpeta, Golaghat, Majuli, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Cachar, and Dima Hasao.

With a budget of $135 million for Phase I, AIRBMP aims to mitigate climate-related disaster risks and strengthen institutional capacities. The project focuses on safeguarding around 100,000 individuals in the Beki and Buridehing river basins. Enhanced flood forecasting, secure evacuation, and resilient shelters are key components of this initiative, which is designed to build climate resilience in communities.

The programme is also financing diverse flood and river erosion control infrastructure, including new embankments, drainage canals, and flood retention areas, to enhance the state's disaster response capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)