Vulnerability
Vulnerability refers to the degree to which a community, infrastructure, service, or geographical region is at risk of damage or disruption due to a specific hazard. This susceptibility is influenced by factors such as the area's characteristics, structural integrity, and proximity to hazardous terrain or disaster-prone zones.
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN ISDR) defines vulnerability as the set of physical, social, economic and environmental conditions or processes that heighten a community’s exposure to the adverse effects of hazards.
Vulnerability Profile of India
Vulnerability assessment is, therefore, a complex data- gathering process aimed at identifying the "elements at risk," which include social, economic, natural, and physical factors. This process is always site-specific, focusing on the distinct characteristics of a given location. Effective assessment relies on local expertise and knowledge to account for the unique conditions of each community.
Map: Disaster Vulnerability Map of India
• India, owing to its physiographic diversity and climatic conditions, ranks among the most disaster-prone regions in the world. The country faces varying degrees of vulnerability to multiple natural hazards:
• Earthquakes: Nearly 59% of India's landmass is susceptible to earthquakes ranging from moderate to severe intensity, with 55% of the total area falling under seismic zones III and above.
• Floods and River Erosion: Approximately 12% of the land area, covering over 40 million hectares, is vulnerable to flooding and river erosion.
• Coastal Hazards: Of India's 7,516 km-long coastline, nearly 5,700 km is prone to cyclones and tsunamis, particularly along the eastern coast and Gujarat.
• Droughts: Around 68% of cultivable land is exposed to
drought conditions.
• Landslides and Avalanches: Hilly regions, particularly the Sub-Himalayan sector and Western Ghats, are at risk of landslides and avalanches.
• CBRN and Man-Made Disasters: India is also vulnerable to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies, alongside other human-induced disasters.
• Compounding Disaster Risks: Disaster risks in India are
exacerbated by multiple factors, including:
• Demographicchanges and socio-economic conditions
• Unplanned urbanization
• Development in high-risk zones
• Environmental degradation
• Climate change
• Geological hazards
• Epidemics and pandemics
• These factors collectively pose a significant threat to India’s economy, population, and sustainable development.
• Contributing Factors to Disaster Vulnerability: India's susceptibility to disasters arises from both natural and human-induced factors, including:
• Adverse geo-climatic conditions
• Topographical variations
• Environmental degradation
• Population growth
• Urbanization
• Industrialization
• Unscientific development practices
• Geological Divisions of India: India is broadly categorized into three major geological regions:
• 1. The Himalayas (Extra-Peninsular region)
• 2. The Indo-Gangetic Plains
• 3. The Peninsular region