ADB approves $50m loan for water management in India

MANILA: Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Friday the approval of a $50 million loan to enhance water resources management, improve water access, and bolster community resilience to climate change in India.

The climate-adaptive, community-based water-harvesting project in Meghalaya will develop a comprehensive state-wide master plan for water harvesting, incorporating weather patterns and disaster risk management, according to the ADB.

The project will facilitate the construction of 532 water-storage facilities across 12 districts. These facilities will be designed with a strong emphasis on climate resilience, enabling effective capture and management of heavy rainfall and flash floods during the monsoon season.

The stored water will provide irrigation during the dry winter season and aid in flood management, the ADB added.

Additionally, the project aims to develop at least 3,000 hectares of command area to ensure reliable irrigation for farmers.