Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment Framework (DRRAF) and Roadmap for Assam, India

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment Framework (DRRAF) and roadmap for Assam

Assam’s diverse topography and extensive riverine networks make it highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides.

Given its strategic location and growing digital connectivity, strengthening telecommunications resilience is crucial for regional development, ensuring emergency response, and supporting inclusive digital access in disaster-prone areas.

Developed by CDRI in partnership with DoT and NDMA, the Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment Framework (DRRAF) offers a comprehensive, multi-hazard strategy to enhance telecom infrastructure resilience across Assam.

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Impact

1

Assam’s telecom infrastructure faces significant disruption risks due to high exposure to floods, earthquakes (Seismic Zone V), and landslides, especially in Dima Hasao and Cachar. Strengthening resilience is essential to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during disasters.

2

The study identified critical weaknesses in power support and last-mile connectivity, severely affecting telecom service resilience in rural and disaster-prone areas. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure reliable communication and emergency response during crises.

3

The absence of standardized disaster preparedness protocols among Assam’s telecom stakeholders hinders swift recovery and coordination during crises. Establishing unified procedures is crucial to enhancing response efficiency and ensuring rapid restoration of telecom services in emergencies.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.