Critical Role of Local Communities for Disaster Risk Reduction

Evidence based interventions for Climate Action and disaster risk reduction (DRR) must engage communities to ensure resilience.

The photograph shows the urban spread of Shimla city in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Given the volatile nature of the Himalayan region, the geographical and community vulnerability is on the rise with extreme weather events caused by climate change. Credit: Alpna

In the fight against climate change and disaster risks, communities are crucial players. The role of communities increases even more so in vulnerable regions like the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Here combining local knowledge with near real-time data can transform disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action strategies strengthening resilience. Our bandhus recently completed a series of intensive consultations with diverse stakeholders working to improve climate mitigation in the hill state. These convenings were a part of our ongoing efforts to expand CivicDataLab’s Intelligent Data Solution for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDS-DRR) and create a robust climate data ecosystem for the state.

This blog explores the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to data-driven interventions, highlighting how community engagement and diverse expertise can drive effective policy reform. It is informed by the discussions and workshops conducted with support from the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) and not-for-profit Doers, last month.

The Power of Local Expertise

Communities living in disaster-prone areas are often the first responders. They have deep knowledge of their environment as they understand local risks, historical patterns and nature-based solutions — insights that complement scientific data. We at CivicDataLab believe that evidence based decision making needs to be enhanced using local knowledge pools and civic engagement. This results in a more holistic and impactful approach for ensuring long-term resilience.

The role of communities in data-driven disaster risk reduction (DRR) goes beyond just supporting rescue and relief efforts. It includes local knowledge and expertise that need to feed into evidence based policies and decision making to ensure inclusive and impactful interventions for building climate resilience.

For instance, Himachal Pradesh faces a multitude of hazards, including earthquakes, landslides and floods. Local knowledge about these risks is invaluable for improving risk assessments and enhancing disaster preparedness.

In 2023, extreme weather events like flash floods, cloudburst and landslides, cost a cumulative loss of Rs. 9905.77 crores to Himachal Pradesh, according to State Emergency Operation Centre, (SEOC). HPSDMA stated that 428 people have lost their lives due to various disasters caused by extreme weather events, which included 83 flash floods, 5502 landslides, 27 cloudbursts resulting in loss of both lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.

This photograph shows discussions held at the not-for-profit organisation Doers’ office. To enhance local expertise in DRR, in July and August 2024, CivicDataLab bandhus conducted extensive consultations and workshops with diverse group of stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh. Credit: CivicDataLab

Bridging the Gaps

Hyper-local information through communities can help authorities react faster and more effectively, making disaster management more responsive. Given that the first impact of any extreme weather event is people, the communities become a crucial source of near-real-time data, which fills crucial gaps in strategic evidence based decision making processes. In Himachal Pradesh, where extreme weather events are frequent, this data is essential for timely, accurate and sustainable interventions and response.

Community participation also plays a crucial role in building local resilience. The communities can inform and assist in ensuring resource allocation is effective on the ground in the impacted areas. Given the highly localised nature of geography, community engagement helps garner a deeper understanding, which in turn strengthens climate mitigation and adaptation.

Disasters affect vulnerable groups — such as women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities — differently. Engaging these groups in disaster planning ensures their specific needs are addressed, making DRR strategies more comprehensive. This inclusivity enhances overall community resilience and reduces disaster impact.

Role of Patwaris in Data Collection

In Himachal Pradesh, Patwaris (local officials) play a critical role in disaster management, who are also seen as local community leaders and sources of granular information. Traditionally, as well as today, in large parts of the himalayan region Patwaris gather damage reports from residents, conduct on-site inspections and compile data for higher government authorities.

Patwaris’ reports are crucial for the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to allocate resources and coordinate responses. This data integration ensures timely and accurate disaster management, demonstrating the importance of local data in policy-making.

Integrating Diverse Expertise

A multidisciplinary approach combines local knowledge, near real-time data, scientific research, and policy analysis to create robust disaster management strategies. This approach brings together experts from various fields — such as meteorology, engineering, social sciences and public health — to address complex challenges posed by claimate change.

For instance, integrating meteorological data with community reports can improve flood forecasting models. Collaboration between engineers and local experts can enhance infrastructure resilience. Social scientists can help design inclusive policies that address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Enabling Policy Reform with Community Engagement

A multidisciplinary approach also drives policy reform. By integrating diverse perspectives, data-driven interventions can lead to more effective and inclusive policies. Community engagement ensures that policies reflect local realities and address specific needs.

In Himachal Pradesh, the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) support this approach. The SAPCC aims to incorporate climate data into policy-making, while the SDGs emphasise resilience building across various sectors. By aligning these frameworks with community input and multidisciplinary expertise, policies can be more responsive and effective.

The Himalayan mountain range is the youngest fold-mountains in the world and also the most densely inhabited. It is vulnerable to extreme weather events, where community engagement can enhance resilience. Credit: CivicDataLab

Strengthening Participatory Climate Action

Communities are vital in shaping climate action and disaster management. A multidisciplinary approach that combines local knowledge, near real-time data, scientific expertise and community engagement can revolutionise disaster risk reduction. By integrating diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration, we can create policies that are not only effective but also inclusive and adaptive.

Let’s harness the power of community insights and multidisciplinary expertise to build stronger, more resilient systems for the future. Together, we can turn data into actionable strategies and drive meaningful policy reform.