Community-Centric Flood Management: Insights from a Citizen-Led Case Study
摘要
Floods remain one of the most destructive natural hazards globally, causing extensive damage to lives, property, and ecosystems, particularly in vulnerable river basins. The state of Kerala, in southern India, has witnessed recurrent and severe flood events in recent years, prompting renewed interest in innovative, participatory approaches for disaster risk reduction. Against this backdrop, the increasing integration of community-led action, technology, and real-time information sharing represents an important shift in flood management approaches. Building on these trends, the following case study examines a community-led initiative for flood management along the Meenachil River in Kerala, India, highlighting the integration of weather warning systems through a series of community-monitored rain and river gauges, weather stations and social media platforms. It explores how local communities actively engage in monitoring and disseminating critical weather information, fostering resilience against flooding. The resilience built among the community members helps in disaster risk reduction, emphasizing community engagement and technological integration for effective flood management.