Gujarat city on India?s west coast is preparing to cope with twin disasters brought on by rapid growth and global warming According to the climate change experts, it is only a matter of time. The city of Surat (population 4.5 million), in the state of Gujarat on the west coast of India, will soon be exposed to recurrent flooding, with the risk of malaria and dengue fever epidemics in its aftermath. It also faces higher temperatures, which may force companies to relocate. So its citizens are planning for twin disasters that rapid urban development and global warming bring in their wake.

In 2008 Surat, which owes its success to the textile, diamond and petrochemical industries, was one of the pioneer members of the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (Acccrn) set up by the Rockefeller Foundation. It now receives technical and financial assistance to identify threats and test solutions. ?Cities are where the interplay of climate risk and poverty lead to the direst consequences,? the Foundation warns on its website.

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