Climate resilient economic practices and adaptation measures in the Rioni river basin

Climate Resilient Flood and Flash Flood Management

Climate resilient economic practices and adaptation measures in the Rioni river basin

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Summary

Georgia is highly prone to floods, flash floods, landslides, mudflows and other extreme climatic events that have become more frequent and intensive over the years. UNDP is assisting the country to develop climate-sensitive policies, establish early warning systems and introduce sustainable flood management practices. In 2012-2017, UNDP and the Global Adaptation Fund implemeted a 5-year programme in the Rioni river basin, one of Georgia's highest-risk areas where floods and flash floods pose threats to the lives and property of 200 thousand residents. The programme has transformed the country’s approaches to flood and flash flood management and introduced sustainable and modern practical solutions.

Activities

In partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia and National Environment Agency, UNDP and the Adaptation Fund focus on the Rioni River basin, one of Georgia’s most vulnerable regions susceptible to various extreme climate events in the country.

Our assistance targets the following key areas:  

  • Development of policies to promote resilience to flood and flash flood risks.
  • Introduction of the flood managements practices to the local communities.
  • Establishment of an early warning system to improve preparedness and adaptation of the local population.

Results so far

  • A topographic survey of the Rioni channels.
  • A series of research and desk studies to provide the complete and credible information about the hydro-meteorological threats in the Rioni Basin. This includes the analysis of all existing datasets related to the Rioni Basin, scoping exercise to identify high risk areas in three municipalities, GIS analysis of the Rioni Basin to support hydrological and hydraulic modelling, and geomorphological and geotechnical studies.
  • Digitalization the historic information about the Rioni Basin, including the data on floods, flash floods, mudflows, landslides and other natural hazards. 
  • Assistance to the  Government of Georgia in revising the legislation on land use and building codes and standards.
  • Floodplain zoning policy framework for Rioni river basin.
  • Flood risk socio-economic model for 18 municipalities in Rioni river basin.
  • Ten flood defense structures at high flood risk sites in six pilot municipalities.
  • Modern flood forecasting and early warning system in Rioni river basin.

Contact information

Nino Antadze
UNDP Environment & Energy Team Leader
nino.antadze@undp.org

Photos

Photo: UNDP

Photo: UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP