Southasiadisasters.net issue no. 215, January 2025

As India celebrates 150^th year of the founding of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the latest edition of Southasiadisasters.net titled “Climate Extremes: Pathways for Preparedness and Anticipatory Action” delves into the escalating climate extremes in South Asia, examining their interconnected impacts and the innovative anticipatory actions needed to address them. This issue emphasizes the co-location of hazards such as floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, and their compounded effects on vulnerable communities, particularly women and marginalized groups.

Articles highlight local experiences and institutional responses, calling for inclusive and context-sensitive preparedness strategies. As Mihir R. Bhatt, notes, “In such an emerging landscape of extreme heat risk, we must ask: what key anticipatory actions are needed, and how do we co-create solutions that serve both the sciences and the people at the frontline?” From community-led preparedness efforts in Gujarat to reflections on the role of water in climate adaptation, the edition brings together diverse voices and interdisciplinary insights. It also critiques gaps in resource access, forecasting, and institutional support, urging a shift toward equitable and locally driven responses. By synthesizing field data, research findings, and policy recommendations, this publication reaffirms the need for proactive, inclusive, and knowledge-driven strategies to address the region’s mounting climate challenges in its mitigation India has a lead role to play.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Overview by Shilpi Srivastava, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK
2. Anticipatory Actions: Three Observations from Climate Science by Krishna AchutaRao, Professor, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, Affiliate Faculty, School of Public Policy, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
3. Shifting Extreme Precipitation Patterns in a Warming World by Chaithra ST, PhD Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India
4. શું ભારે વરસાદ પશ્ચિમ ભારતને ‘લીલા દુકાળ’ તરફ દોરી જાય છે? – શિલ્પી શ્રીવાસ્તવ, મેઘા શેઠ, ચૈથરા એસ.ટી., અને વિનીતા બચીના
5. Role of IMD in Anticipatory Action: Recent Initiatives with Respect to Heatwaves by Akhil Srivastava, Scientist – D, India Meteorological Department, Delhi, India
6. Water and Extreme Weather Events by Lyla Mehta, Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK
7. Practices of Anticipation in North Gujarat: Some Key Observations by Vinitha Bachina, ANTICIPATE Research Officer, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK
8. The Value of Visual Methods in Studying Extremes: What We Know Now? by Shibaji Bose, PhD Researcher, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, India
9. Women on the Frontlines: Leading Climate Action through Anticipatory Practices by Megha Sheth, ANTICIPATE Research Officer, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK
10. Co-location and Anticipatory Action: What is Needed to Address Extreme Heat Acceleration by Mihir R. Bhatt, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India
11. Anticipation, Relocation, and Saving Lives: Understanding Landslide and Disaster Risk in Wayanad, Kerala by Hariprasad VM, Doctoral Candidate, IIT Bombay, India
12. Managing Research Projects: A View on Adaptive Management amidst Uncertainty by Natalie Lovell, ANTICIPATE Project Manager, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK