3. Case Study: Mumbai

This is Mumbai, the financial capital of India, this is also Mumbai at Dharavi area close opposite to Bandra-Kurla complex, and this is Mithi river, mangrove forest and this is Bandra-Kurla and this is Dharavi areas okay, this is our study area.

In this chunk, we are introduced to Mumbai, highlighting its significance as the financial capital of India. The focus then narrows down to the specific area of Dharavi, known for its dense population and informal settlements. The mention of the Mithi River and the Bandra-Kurla complex gives geographical context, indicating that Dharavi is a significant area for the subsequent discussion on disaster management.

Think of Mumbai as a bustling marketplace; it's vibrant and full of energy but can also be chaotic. Just like a busy market can face challenges like overcrowding or poor infrastructure, the city of Mumbai faces similar issues, particularly in areas like Dharavi where many people live in close quarters.

In 2005 there was a catastrophic disaster in Mumbai, one day almost 1000 millimeter of rainfall and it paralyzed the city, 60% of the city were indirectly or directly affected okay. Around 1,000 people were killed due to this flood just one day flood or 2 days flood.

This chunk details a significant disaster that struck Mumbai in 2005 when an unprecedented rainfall of around 1000 millimeters in a single day led to severe flooding. The impact was immense, as 60% of the city faced some level of disruption, with tragic loss of life. This serves as a critical event that underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and community involvement in disaster risk governance.

Imagine a large sponge soaking up water. If too much water is poured at once, the sponge can no longer hold it, leading to overflow. Similarly, when Mumbai was inundated with rain, the city's infrastructure couldn't cope, resulting in floods that affected many residents.

So you can see here more clearly that is encroached land on the settlement on Mithi riverbank it was earlier a mangrove forest. These are some of the glimpse of 100 square meter area total population is within this small place 25,000.

In this portion, the speaker highlights the encroachment of land along the Mithi River, revealing that a natural mangrove forest has been replaced by settlements. Despite the small area described (100 square meters), it supports a remarkably high population of 25,000 people, illustrating the density and challenges of urban planning in Dharavi.

Consider a small pot filled with too many plants; they struggle for space, nutrients, and water. In Dharavi, the dense population in a limited area causes similar issues, making it difficult for residents to access adequate resources and manage risks associated with disasters.

We started to say used to go to Dharavi and say people hey hello how are you, and then we started to build kind of rapport with the people. People say hello, how are you they are talking about many issues, they are concerned about their livelihood issues, their job, family issues, housing issues.

Here, the focus shifts to the importance of building relationships with community members in Dharavi. The approach began with informal conversations to understand the residents' concerns, which included livelihoods, jobs, and housing. Establishing rapport is essential for effective community participation in disaster risk management.

Think of a teacher getting to know their students before diving into lessons. By understanding students' interests and challenges, the teacher can tailor their approach for better learning outcomes. Similarly, engaging with the community helps tailor disaster management efforts to their specific needs.

So they said that yes we need some help if you can do to manage better the flood we are facing every year. So we developed risk mapping and then over the period of time we developed an action plan with them.

This section reveals that after establishing trust, community members expressed their need for assistance in managing flood risks. As a response, the project team developed risk mapping and collaborated with residents to create actionable plans to mitigate flooding, showcasing the importance of tailored solutions based on community input.

Imagine a group of friends planning a camping trip. They discuss what food to bring, how to set up their tents, and what to do if it rains. This collaboration helps ensure that everyone is prepared and can enjoy the trip, much like how the community and project team worked together to prepare for floods.

I will talk about that how we involved these communities into this decision-making process. That was the phase one and that we first identified the stakeholder and we developed a base map and also Phase two we developed a risk mapping and prioritisation of work.

In this concluding portion, the emphasis is on involving the community in the decision-making process related to disaster risk management. The complex process included identifying stakeholders and creating a base map, along with developing a risk map to prioritize actions. This participatory approach is crucial for sustainable and effective disaster governance.

Consider a committee planning a community event; they need to know who is available and what resources they have. By involving everyone in the planning, they ensure the event meets everyone's needs rather than just a select few. Similarly, including community members in disaster planning helps ensure that solutions address real needs.

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