Mumbai-Ahmedabad flooding dominates BRICS meet

New Delhi: The recent urban flooding in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat was discussed at the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi on Friday. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) presented urban flood mitigation plans and preparedness measures adopted by municipal authorities. NDMA member Dr Krishna S. Vatsa said the authorities in Delhi have devised SOPs for the upcoming monsoon season.

BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The ministerial meeting featured a high-level policy dialogue on 'Advancing Climate-Smart and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Systems: Partnerships, Innovation and Financing for Resilient Development', where ministers deliberated on resilient infrastructure, innovative financing, emerging technologies and international partnerships to address increasing disaster and climate risks.


A ministerial roundtable on 'Accelerating Implementation of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025-2028)' enabled member countries to exchange experiences and identify practical pathways for strengthening institutional cooperation, capacity building, knowledge sharing and implementation of the agreed priorities.

As part of India's chairship, six flagship knowledge products were launched to support evidence-based policymaking, institutional strengthening, capacity building and practical implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives across BRICS member countries, the NDMA said in a statement.

As the way forward, the ministers emphasised strengthening practical and action-oriented cooperation through regular technical exchanges, joint projects, simulation exercises, expert exchanges and annual thematic workstreams to promote knowledge sharing, innovation and measurable outcomes in disaster resilience.