Manila, Philippines (BBN)- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping India find ways to combat severe flooding and erosion in one of its poorest states.

An Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project is being prepared to shore up Assam state’s defenses against flooding and river erosion in vulnerable areas.

The Project also aims to strengthen the state’s policy, planning, and institutional framework to address the problems with a long-term strategy.

ADB is extending a $150,000 technical assistance grant to help lay the groundwork for the project, according to a press statement.

Another $750,000 grant will be provided by the Multi-donor Trust Fund under the Water Financing Partnership Facility. The Fund, administered by ADB, is contributed by the governments of Australia, Austria, and Norway.

Additional counterpart financing of $230,000 is being provided by the Assam state government.

The assistance will be used to ensure policies and institutions are ready to provide a comprehensive and coordinated flood and riverbank erosion risk management system.

India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, with floods causing average annual damage of around $450 million. Assam is especially vulnerable with 90 per cent of its agricultural and urban land located in flood-prone areas, the ADB said.

BBN/SI/SS/AD-21November08-9:21 AM (BST)