Building climate resilience at state level: Disaster risk management and rural livelihoods in Orissa, SCR Discussion Paper 5
Abstract
Climate change is affecting the frequency and severity of some natural hazards, is increasing people’s vulnerability and exposure, and is creating greater uncertainty. Due to the vulnerability of Orissa and record of disasters, including the 1999 super-cyclone, development policy initiatives have been instigated to address poverty, resilience and reduce impacts of extreme weather events in the State. These have been evolving over time and an active process is still under way, and are implemented from State to District to Panchayat (village) and community level. Orissa, therefore, is a suitable place for a case study to test the Climate Smart Resilient Development (CSDRM) approach and consider the extent to which development programmes in Orissa demonstrate CSDRM. This work on Orissa is one of three case studies testing the CSDRM approach. Three key weather dimensions have been identified as affecting vulnerability: 1- Drought and dry-spells at an interval of every 2 years, with a major drought every 5-6 years; 2- High variability of rainfall, leaving people with two peak periods of food stress in the region; and 3- Flash floods during the rainy season.
Citation
Hedger, M.; Singha, A.; Reddy, M. Building climate resilience at state level: Disaster risk management and rural livelihoods inOrissa, SCR Discussion Paper 5. (2010) : 41 pp.
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