Climate Resilient Flood Management Practices in Georgia

About

Georgia is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards, including floods, flash floods, earthquakes, droughts, landslides, avalanches, and mud flows. Catastrophic events with a 50% annual probability of occurrence threaten economic losses that exceed 20% of the country’s GDP. Floods, including flash floods, are the highest probability catastrophic events.
The Rioni River basin houses approximately 986,800 people and covers one-fifth of Georgia's total land area. Between 1842 and 2008, 111 incidents of flooding were recorded in the basin, incurring losses from $200,000 to $60 Million USD and the inundated area ranging from 4 to 200 square kilometres. The number of events per year has increased in the last decade, with 7 events occurring in 2005, 6 of which were categorised as "strong". The largest number of flood events has been recorded in 6 municipalities in the last 10 years: they are Oni, Tsageri, Lentekhi, Ambrolauri, Tskaltubo, and Samtredia. The project targets these 6 vulnerable municipalities for climate adaptation measures.
The underlying causes of vulnerability to climate change in the Rioni basin can be categorised into:

  • Physical Factors –direct manifestations of climate change;
  • Anthropogenic Factors – those related to the harmful ways in which humans have and continue to interact with the environment which has exacerbated vulnerability; and
  • Institutional Factors – related to the legislative/regulatory barriers placed by government and other institutions, as well as limited capacity (human and resources) to manage climate change vulnerability.

This project aims to develop resilience of highly vulnerable communities and regions to climate related hazards. Activities have been prioritised through consultation with local communities including heads of municipalities, NEA (National Environment Agency at the Ministry of Environment Protection) local staff responsible for management of the hydrometric network and national NEA and Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure (MRDI) staff responsible for the assessment of need (NEA) and implementation of flood protection measures in the catchment (MRDI). The project takes an integrated and comprehensive approach by addressing critical gaps in land use policy and regulatory framework, fundamental to climate resilient flood management. It will implement the Georgian Government’s priorities for effective and long term measures for flood prevention and management by direct involvement of local municipalities and populations residing in the highly exposed locations. Furthermore, it will enhance the capacity of all appropriate national agencies to deliver timely and effective early warnings. A balanced combination of policy, early warning and concrete adaptation actions will support Georgia in taking steps towards long-term resilience of its most vulnerable communities.

This project was approved and funded by the Adaptation Fund Board in December 2011, and is currently Under Implementation (as of June 2012).