BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh stands at a critical juncture in addressing climate change, given its diverse topography and susceptibility to extreme weather events. With a coastline vulnerable to cyclones, drought-prone Rayalaseema, high-altitude forests in the Eastern Ghats, and fertile deltas of the Krishna-Godavari basin, the state encompasses nearly all of India’s climatic zones except the Himalayas. This unique geographical positioning offers Andhra Pradesh the opportunity to become a model for climate resilience, pioneering an integrated and locally driven adaptation & mitigation strategy.

Andhra Pradesh is increasingly vulnerable to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, severe cyclones, and extreme weather events are disrupting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. The state has made commendable progress in environmental conservation, particularly in afforestation and biodiversity protection. However, the magnitude and complexity of climate risks necessitate a broader and more integrated response. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal have increased by over 30% in recent decades, causing extensive damage to coastal infrastructure and livelihoods.