16-05-2025
New climate plan launched to boost resilience in Tamil Nadu's drought and flood-prone districts
CGIAR, a global network of agricultural research centres, has launched a new Climate Action Plan for Tamil Nadu to help communities better manage climate risks, especially in districts that frequently experience droughts or floods.
At the launch in Chennai on Friday, Giriraj Amarnath, Principal Researcher, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Research, IWMI, said that drought-prone districts such as Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Virudhunagar often suffer from water scarcity, long dry spells, and agricultural distress. The Climate Action Plan will align with the ongoing Tamil Nadu Drought Mitigation Project to address these challenges.
On the other hand, areas such as Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Tirunelveli are increasingly vulnerable to river and urban flooding, particularly during the Northeast monsoon. To tackle these issues, the programme will introduce integrated climate risk management approaches, provide real-time weather and farming guidance through digital platforms, and promote anticipatory actions to prepare for extreme weather events, Mr. Amarnath said.
As part of the next steps, CGIAR, formerly known as Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, will identify pilot sites and focus areas such as digital advisory services, drought management, and community-led adaptation initiatives. The plan is expected to benefit tens of thousands of farmers by giving them access to digital climate advisories and climate-smart agriculture solutions.
'Water is at the heart of tackling climate challenges, as it has a direct impact on the food system. We are looking to improve water management at different levels, from watersheds to individual farms. The programme will consider how much nutrition, crop yield, and income are generated per unit of water, helping to promote more efficient and sustainable farming in water-scarce regions,' he added.
At the launch event, Sudha Ramen, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission said that better research, and access to clear, visual data would allow local administrators to make informed decisions and take more effective actions.
Alok Sikka, IWMI's Country Representative for India and Bangladesh, added that the Climate Action Plan would be implemented in close collaboration with departments such as Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Water Resources, Disaster Management, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, along with the Institute for Water Studies in Chennai.
