Architectural Suitability of Adaptive Floodproofing Measures in Rural Assam: Integrating Vernacular Strategies with Modern Hybrid Systems

Abstract

The Brahmaputra River in Assam creates a highly volatile, flood-prone region, with approximately 40% of the land vulnerable to reoccurring floods and flash floods (ASDMA, 2024). This vulnerability is increasing due to climate change and ecological deterioration, rendering traditional, non-sustainable mitigation structures like embankments ineffective and economically unviable.

This necessitates a shift towards adaptive architecture. Existing vernacular flood-adaptive strategies, such as the Mising community's elevated Chang Ghar or Ikra house on bamboo stilts, are increasingly failing against intense, sudden flash floods and rapid material decay. The houses' low lifespan (about five years) and the continuous cycle of destruction and reconstruction have made traditional building materials unaffordable for low-income, rural families.

To address this, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) is promoting policies for long-term structural resilience. Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), which offers approximately INR 1.3 lakh per unit, help bridge the financial gap for constructing more durable and permanent affordable housing.

This context necessitates a study of different flood-proofing techniques at the site, community, and individual levels. The goal is to develop a better, self-sustaining prototype by exploring existing flood-proofing systems and case studies, and integrating them with the existing vernacular adaptations to create a more resilient structure against floods.