Integrated Flood Risk Management in India and the South Asia Region: Lessons from the Rhine and Danube

Abstract

India and the South Asia region are one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change flooding events. With flood risks being transboundary, there is the potential for floods in South Asia to cause widespread instability and state fragility leading to migration and displacement, weak governance and overall geo-political instability in the region. Europe has experience in managing transboundary flood risks, most recently with the implementation of the EU Flood Directive, which calls for transboundary actions to mitigate flood risks. Using existing platforms for cooperation, Europe can transfer knowledge on Integrated Flood Risk Management expertise to India and the wider South Asia region in order to help ensure regional economic and political stability.