Urban Health Challenges of coastal city: A case study of Surat

Surat is one of the 25 major cities on the long Indian coastline1. Being a coastal city around 90% of Surat’s geographical area is affected by some type of climate hazard (2). Under the influence of risk factors like... [ view full abstract ]

Surat is one of the 25 major cities on the long Indian coastline1. Being a coastal city around 90% of Surat’s geographical area is affected by some type of climate hazard (2).

Under the influence of risk factors like location, sanitation, socio demographic profile, increasing heat wave days, rising humidity, disturbed precipitation pattern and 24 floods in the last century Surat city have consistently faced public health challenges. This study is a retrospective analysis of impact of climate and floods on vector borne, water borne diseases and resurgent infections in Surat city.

As per history of vector borne disease, Surat experienced Filaria endemicity till sixties, high Malaria transmission in nineties and Dengue since 2009. Post flood disease trend indicates prolonged span of malaria, water borne disease upsurge and serious resurgent infections Plague (1994) and Leptospirosis (since 2006). Heat and health analysis reveals increase in all cause mortality during heat wave days (3). Vector borne diseases, new infection H1N1 and heat and all cause mortality is closely associated with increasing trend of humidity and minimum temperature. Analysis also shows differential spatial health and climate vulnerability within city.

Learning lessons from public health vulnerability, post 1994 city metamorphosed in to the cleanest and good governance city with well equipped urban health system and guidelines to manage health challenges, but continues to face challenges of new and resurgent infections.

Present analysis confirms high vulnerability of coastal cities to climate change and public health. Study indicates need for sustained efforts for climate and health surveillance, early warning system and evidence based interventions like “heat and health action plans”. A unique initiative Urban Health and Climate Resilience Centre of Surat Municipal Corporation is providing such technical support to Surat city.

Keywords: Coastal city Climate Change Flood Urban Health Surat-India