Lok Sabha Question No. 299 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Assessment of Climate Vulnerability of Bihar
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## 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 droughtprone 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".