A recent study conducted in the coastal cities of Panaji and Visakhapatnam has come up with ideas and recommendations that can help subsidise the loss of industry, landscape and infrastructure caused by natural and man-made disasters. Shrabasti Mallik reports
Vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change is an issue which has gained attention recently as they face multiple risks related to climate change and variability. A recent study conducted in the coastal areas of Panaji and Vishakhapatnam, for a year, focusses on the impact of sea level rise (SlR) and other climatic parameters like rainfall and storms on the infrastructure of these cities. Conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with the US Agency for International Development (UNSAID), the study stresses on the growing need to create climate resilient coastal cities. It also looks at steps for transformation.
The study was not easy . The mammoth first step was to set up parameters which analysed the climate and the mean sea level anomaly followed by SlR projections. The scope included developing and demonstrating a methodology for assessing the how susceptible infrastructure services are to SlR and how that assessment can support climatic resilience planning efforts.
The vulnerability assessments of the two cities were carried out with the objective to understand the impact of sea level rise and vulnerability of Panaji to climate change induced events like extreme precipitation and Visakhapatnam to the extremes of precipitation, cyclones and storm surges. Identify hotspots and critical infrastructural and services. Identify actions to address climate criticality and to plan for climate resilience and inform planning decision at the level of the local government to achieve the same.
The study resulted in a factual, updated and multi-sectoral data base management system. However, it is only a first step in demonstrating and initiating climate action in not only these two cities but other coastal cities in general. It is also up to the cities to take this forward while envisioning and planning for a development that takes cognizance of the future shocks and stressors. In order to implement the suggested measures and build climatic resilience, coastal cities will need to come up with detailed recommendations and action points for short medium and long term period. The study suggests both structural and non-structural recommendations for short, medium and long-term. However, it has been found that, a lot of problems can be addressed by better planning and management of the cities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
PANAJI
Khazan land and mangroves, creeks and sand dunes in and around the Goa capital are most vulnerable to natural disasters. Some of the recommendations that the study presented are:
1. Rehabilitation and preservation measures around sand dunes and mangroves. Plantation of vegetation along the dunes can help restore and stabilise the dunes.
2. Introducing waterproofing measures like barriers to reduce contact from flood water, water proof covers and rain shelters.
3. Planning the gradual augmentation of the sewerage system — new drains to take into account the vulnerable zones of the city and appropriately in-built resilience features.
4. Checking for building efficiency and stability.
5. Building elevations and materials for structural safety.
VISAKHAPATNAM
The port city has already faced the lashes of Phailin, Helen and the recent Hudhud which destroyed property and infrastructural assets besides damaging the coastal structures and morphology. Some of the recommendations are:
1. Reducing the impact of flood through appropriate building designs solutions.
2. Maintaining safe heights for infrastructure assets like electric sub station and for leak-proof equipment storage.
3. Appropriate measures for safe and leak-proof equipment and material storage.
4. Appropriate design of public transport systems — entry, exit, drainage, manholes, considerations for safety of structures, equipment and operations.
5. Retrofit and adaptation of airport and seaport systems.