AI-Driven Climate Resilience Strategies Unveiled in Jaipur

A recent roundtable in Jaipur highlighted the dual challenges of flooding and drought facing India in 2026. Researchers introduced CRAVIS.ai, an AI-driven platform designed to enhance climate resilience by analyzing historical and projected climate data. The platform aims to support evidence-based planning for adaptation and disaster risk reduction. With increasing heat risks and changing rainfall patterns, the findings underscore the urgent need for effective climate strategies in vulnerable regions like Rajasthan. This event marks a significant step towards integrating advanced technology in addressing climate challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 5, 2026, 18:27 IST

Jaipur Hosts Climate Resilience Roundtable

Jaipur. On Wednesday, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) organized a knowledge-sharing roundtable in Jaipur focused on "Strengthening Climate Resilience Through AI-Driven Climate Decisions and Actions." Researchers from CEEW highlighted that the monsoon season in India for 2026 is showcasing two contrasting realities. While some states are grappling with devastating floods, others are facing severe rainfall deficits, affecting over half of the districts in the country. By mid-July, the major reservoirs across the nation held only about 34% of their total water storage capacity, significantly lower than the same period last year.

During the event, researchers also showcased the Climate Resilience Analytics and Visualization Intelligence System (CRAVIS.ai), an innovative AI-powered climate intelligence platform developed by CEEW. CRAVIS integrates over 40 years of historical climate data with projections for the periods of 2030–2050 and 2051–2070. It enables district-level analysis based on 279 indicators under various emissions and global warming scenarios. Users can overlay climate data with regional information, such as power infrastructure, agriculture, land use, and public health, for a comprehensive risk analysis. This platform is designed as a collective data commons, inviting various organizations and stakeholders to contribute data and analysis to enhance its intelligence base.

According to CRAVIS forecasts, heavy rainfall events are expected to increase consistently over the next two decades. Many districts may experience an additional 10 to 30 days of heavy rainfall each year. States in central and southern India, such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, are projected to see a rise in both rainy and hot days. Rajasthan, one of the most climate-sensitive states in India, is particularly vulnerable due to its dry to semi-arid climate, making it highly susceptible to rising temperatures and monsoon variability. The impacts of the 2026 super El Niño are becoming increasingly evident, with western Rajasthan facing prolonged dry conditions and dust storms, while eastern Rajasthan is experiencing hot and humid weather with below-average rainfall. These conditions align with the weakening effects of the southwest monsoon due to El Niño.

Moreover, monsoon rainfall in Rajasthan is showing a trend of increased variability rather than consistent growth over the long term. The average seasonal rainfall was 471 millimeters during 1981-2010, which increased to 598 millimeters from 2011-2024. However, it is projected to decrease to 569 millimeters by 2051-2070, indicating significant year-to-year fluctuations. The CRAVIS AI platform also highlights a consistent east-west shift across Rajasthan, where western and northern districts face the highest heat risks, while southeastern districts receive increasingly more monsoon rainfall. The current El Niño is exacerbating these climate patterns, putting pressure on water resources, agriculture, livestock, and rural livelihoods. By linking historical observations with future climate projections, the CRAVIS AI platform provides district-level climate-related insights that aid in evidence-based planning for adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and long-term climate resilience in Rajasthan.

India is already confronting rising heat risks, with over 57% of districts and nearly 75% of the population facing high to extreme heat risks. According to CRAVIS.ai, a significant increase in extreme heat is anticipated in the coming decades. During the baseline period of 1981–2010, only 15% of districts experienced more than 116 days annually with maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C. This figure is expected to rise to 46% of districts by 2031–2050 and 57% by 2051–2070. Nighttime heat is also projected to increase rapidly. During the baseline period, only 7% of districts had more than 107 days annually with minimum temperatures above 25°C. By 2031–2050, this is expected to rise to 47% of districts and 59% by 2051–2070. This persistent heat can hinder the body's ability to cool down after sunset, impacting human health, labor productivity, infrastructure performance, and economic resilience.

Findings from the CRAVIS AI platform indicate that Rajasthan is likely to experience a significant long-term trend of increasing heat. The annual number of days with maximum temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius has remained stable at around 130 to 131 days per year between 1981-2010 and 2011-2024, but is projected to rise sharply to 176 days per year by 2031–2050 and 185 days by 2051–2070. Nighttime heat is also increasing rapidly. The number of days with minimum temperatures above 25°C was 79 days per year during 1981-2010, which recent estimates show has risen to 91 days per year. This is expected to reach 132 days per year by 2031–2050 and 139 days by 2051–2070.

*Dr. Vishwas Chitale, Fellow at CEEW,* stated, “When CRAVIS is integrated into local decision-making processes, it can reveal real impacts. It makes complex climate information accessible to policymakers, entrepreneurs, financial experts, journalists, and urban planners. State departments can utilize heat and rainfall indicators at the city and district levels to update heat action plans and preparedness strategies; urban local bodies can incorporate climate information into master plans and infrastructure-related investments; and regulatory and utility services can use these estimates to forecast demands and develop resilience-related plans.”