Parliament Question: Assessment of Climate Vulnerability of Bihar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 299 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 Assessment of Climate Vulnerability of Bihar 299. SHRI ARUN BHARTI: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of Bihar's vulnerability to climate change, particularly concerning increased frequency of floods, droughts and heatwaves; (b) the current status of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) for Bihar and the financial support provided by the Centre for its implementation; (c) the steps taken/being taken under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) to support climate-resilient agriculture in Bihar; (d) whether any specific climate adaptation projects are being implemented in the drought- prone regions of Jamui and Munger; and (e) the details of the measures taken and the mechanism in place to strengthen the early warning systems for extreme weather events in the State? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) and (b). According to the Third National Communication submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an assessment of the vulnerability of India’s districts was carried out in 2020 under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The report titled “Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework” emphasises that all regions in India are vulnerable to the impacts of climatic events. As per the Govt. of Bihar, the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has also conducted studies on climate profiling and vulnerability analysis for the State. It has also been stated by the Govt. of Bihar that the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority has done the heat wave mapping for the state and prepared the Bihar State Heat Action Plan. Aligned with the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which provides for overarching framework for India’s climate actions, the Government of Bihar has prepared State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). The state governments are expected to provide the resources for implementing the SAPCC in their plan outlay for the respective sectors in convergence with relevant schemes and programmes of the respective states as well as of Govt. of India.Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India, has provided financial assistance for preparation of SAPCC for the State of Bihar. Further, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, has established the State Climate Change Cell (SCCC) in Bihar under one of the missions of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – National Mission on Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change (NMSKCC). The SCCC, Bihar assists the state to take up vulnerability and risk assessment, conduct human capacity building programmes, public awareness programmes, institutional capacity building and for the implementation of actions selected for sustainable development by the state as part of their State Action Plans. As part of the project, the studies are undertaken at District level, which may be further useful for climate adaptation planning using a common framework. (c) and (d) Under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, Government of Bihar is implementing a project titled “Scaling up Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) through Mainstreaming Climate Smart Villages (CSVs) in Bihar” in eight districts of the State; namely, Patna, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Munger, Purne, Katihar, Samastipur and Darbhanga. The objective of the project is to improve the adaptive capacity of rural community to climate change through enhancing the portfolios of climate resilient agriculture interventions in targeted villages of Bihar. The project activities are related to climate smart agriculture interventions in accordance to farmer's socio economic and the prevalent bio-physical conditions, enhancing the capacities of stakeholders for implementing and sustaining the climate change adaptation strategies and mainstreaming adaptation strategies into policies and programmes through better knowledge management and sharing. As per the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, several schemes have been initiated under one of the missions of NAPCC i.e. National Mission for Sustainable Development to promote sustainable agriculture practices. Further, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana along with weather index based Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme provides a comprehensive insurance cover against crop failure by providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss/ damage arising out of unforeseen natural calamities. (e) Steps have been taken to improve monitoring and early warning systems, which has helped minimize loss of life and property during extreme weather events, including heat waves, floods, etc. Under the aegis of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors riverine floods at hydrological stations and issues forecasts to concerned State Govt. at identified locations & Dams/Barrages respectively. The CWC maintains 43 Flood Forecasting stations in Bihar. CWC is also providing seven-day advisory flood forecast to all stakeholders through Flood Forecasting Website (https://ffs.indiawater.gov.in/), Flood Watch India 2.0 App, FAX, E-mails, Telephone, and social media platforms. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed national guidelines on heatwave management, which laid the foundation for decentralized Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 States that are prone to heatwave conditions including Bihar were jointly implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the State Governments. As per the State Government, Bihar Mausam Seva Kendra (BMSK) Society has been established under Planning and Development Department, Govt. of Bihar. BMSK provide localized weather forecasts, climate information, and disaster warnings for Bihar, using advanced GIS technology and monitoring network to help farmers, disaster management, and public to make informed decisions, ensuring safety and promoting climate resilience through timely, sector-specific advisories via mobile apps like "Mausam Bihar". ***