Archive · 17 Sep 2026
IIT Madras Maps Coastal Vulnerability in Chennai, Karaikal
Researchers at IIT Madras made maps showing which parts of Chennai and Karaikal may be most at risk from coastal hazards.
The maps consider rising sea levels and powerful storm surges.
The team also studied flooding in Ennore.
They built computer models for cyclones, waves, heavy rain, shoreline erosion and other dangers.
These models can help cities prepare for floods and other climate-related problems.
The researchers also examined ports, reservoirs, wastewater systems and groundwater.
They created a community plan called BASIEC to help people adapt.
Their work was presented at a 2025 international congress in Singapore.
IIT Madras researchers developed Coastal Vulnerability Index maps for Chennai and Karaikal, accounting for sea-level rise and storm surges.
The centre modelled flood inundation in Ennore and assessed cyclones, extreme rainfall, shoreline erosion and other coastal hazards.
Researchers created climate, cyclone, storm-surge, wave, hydrodynamic and morphodynamic models tailored to Indian coastal conditions.
The project includes infrastructure monitoring, saltwater-intrusion mitigation, resilient wastewater treatment and the community-based BASIEC adaptation framework.
The 15-principal-investigator project has produced 73 journal articles, six book chapters, 60 conference papers, one edited book and one patent.
- Who
- Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, including 15 co-principal investigators from four departments.
- What
- They developed coastal vulnerability maps and a broader set of models and adaptation strategies for coastal hazards and infrastructure.
- When
- The findings were presented at the IAHR World Congress 2025; the articles do not specify when the maps were completed.
- Where
- The maps cover Chennai and Karaikal, while flood modelling also focused on Ennore; the findings were presented in Singapore.
- Why
- To improve disaster preparedness, urban planning, infrastructure resilience and adaptation to climate-related coastal hazards.
- Mapped locations
- Chennai and Karaikal
- Additional flood study
- Ennore in Chennai
- Hazards assessed
- Sea-level rise, storm surges, cyclones, extreme rainfall and shoreline erosion
- Project leadership
- 15 co-principal investigators from four IIT Madras departments
- Research output
- 73 journal articles, six book chapters, 60 conference papers, one edited book and one patent
- Supporting agency
- Department of Science and Technology
- Community framework
- BASIEC, a community-based coastal adaptation framework