In a major stride toward strengthening climate resilience across the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has partnered with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) to launch the Development of Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curves project. This initiative is set to equip the region with critical data to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, particularly flooding, by enhancing the design of resilient infrastructure.
The project, which kicked off with a virtual workshop on February 14, 2025, brings together representatives from CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs), government officials, and national meteorological and hydrological services. Rainfall IDF curves play a crucial role in infrastructure planning by estimating rainfall intensities for various probabilities of extreme precipitation, providing vital data for flood control systems and drainage infrastructure. This initiative will incorporate climate change projections to ensure infrastructure remains effective in the face of shifting weather patterns.
Dr. David Farrell, Principal of CIMH, underscored the significance of this initiative, emphasizing that the updated IDF curves will help safeguard Caribbean communities. “This represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to mitigate the societal impacts of current and future extreme weather events. By developing updated rainfall IDF curves that take into account possible future climates, we will enhance the resilience of our infrastructure and protect local communities from the increasing threats posed by climate change.”
Mr. Shawn Boyce, Chief Hydrologist at CIMH and the project’s Technical Lead, highlighted the need for strong stakeholder collaboration to maximize the project’s impact. “The ultimate success of such a project relies heavily on active stakeholder engagement to ensure that the outputs of the project are integrated into planning and design across the region. This regional kick-off workshop marks the beginning of an inclusive process to ensure the resulting IDF curves are practical, accessible, and widely adopted.”
CDB’s Division Chief (Ag), Economic Infrastructure Division, Mr. William Ashby, pointed to the broader implications of the project, citing the Caribbean’s vulnerability to severe hydrometeorological hazards. “Frequent and severe flood events continue to result in damage to infrastructure and housing, loss of income sources, degradation of the natural environment, and risk to life. The tools to be produced from this project, together with the necessary awareness building, will greatly enhance the countries’ capacity to design effective drainage infrastructure and flood protection systems, reducing the risk of social and economic losses.”
Over the next 18 months, the project will generate updated rainfall IDF curves for each BMC, ensuring that climate change projections are incorporated into regional planning. The virtual workshop served as a platform for outlining the project’s objectives, fostering collaboration, and emphasizing the need for continuous stakeholder engagement. Participants also discussed next steps, including comprehensive data collection and public awareness initiatives to ensure the successful integration of the IDF curves into national infrastructure planning.
