The project’s main mandate is to provide advanced information and alerts about probable flooding to people living in flood-prone areas through a community based-flood early warning system (CB-FEWS) which helps them take necessary preparations to minimize as well loss and damage that could be produced by flooding. Further, people are sensitized and trained about the best practices of flood risk management and improved resilience through an integrated flood management approach.

This project was piloted during 2010-2012 and implemented during 2013-2016 in the three rivers viz. Jiadhal, and Singora of Dhemaji District and the Ranganadi of Lakhimpur District.

Communities are sensitized about how to make the best use of the flood early warning for flood preparedness (e.g. identification of safe shelter and escape routes; evacuation planning; food, water, and health security during floods).  They are also trained on best practices of flash flood management. Further, training is imparted to project staff, DDMA officials, and operators of respective villages, and selected community members on installation and maintenance of the instruments.

In the next phase of the project to be implemented during 2020-2022, water level sensors that work in remote/unmanned areas will be used. Risk levels and information on water level will be combined with risk estimation and calibration of risk levels. Bulk SMS will be used, apart from voice calls, for the dissemination of flood warnings to relevant communities. CB-FEWS will be integrated with hydrometeorological based forecasting and early warning mechanism of Indian national agencies. Local police stations will be roped into the dissemination mechanism so that police’s wireless and radio communication facilities can be used in emergency situations. Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV) e.g. drones will be used experimentally to monitor inundation situations and stranding of marooned people and animals during search and rescue exercises.

• About 16,000 people benefitted directly and indirectly in 77 villages during the four years of its execution in three districts. This includes about 8000 population in 27 villages Jiadhal River catchment; about 3000 population in 20 villages of the Singora River catchment and about 5000 population 30 villages of the Ranganadi River catchment.
• The project has also promoted social networking among the beneficiary groups for better dissemination of flood warnings and this contributed to the enhancement of social integration. Social networking and cooperation between upstream and downstream people have increased leading to regular communication among them on disaster and related development matters.
• Communities have become more alert to the occurrence and threat of flash floods in both upstream and downstream. The community’s knowledge about good practices of flood mitigation has increased. Equipped with advanced information, communities now face floods with better preparedness.
• People have saved lives and assets viz. livestock (pigs, cattle, poultry) by shifting to safe places before floods strike them.
• The CBFES won the prestigious Lighthouse Activity Award for 2014 by the UNFCCC under the Momentum for Change Initiative as a best practice in climate change adaptation. The award was given to the implementing organizations in COP 20 at Lima, Peru in December 2014.