Transitioning to Sponge City: A Key to Water Resource Management during Floods in Assam

Abstract

Flooding in the recent times is one of the society’s most significant threats from climate change and dramatic weather events. As such, integrating sponge city construction and green infrastructure have become the new paradigm for a sustainable urban storm water management policy. Sponge city initiative can be implemented in Assam too. After more than seven decades of yearly perennial floods, we know by now that the mighty Brahmaputra cannot be tamed. Nor Assam can fight climate change alone. Sponge city strategy would help Assam to work in unison with nature and sustainably manage rainwater and floodwater which could be a huge advantage not only to the environment but also to the local population as well. This paper aims to suggest certain green infrastructures and sponge city strategies which have been implemented by China and western nations in managing floods. Adopting such strategies may not be able to remove all issues completely but it might definitely work out to reduce the disastrous effect of floods. It will also help to manage water resources efficiently in the State.