Vulnerability to Hazards: A Study in the Darjeeling Kalimpong Hills Region, West Bengal, India

The effectiveness of vulnerability assessment relies on several factors, including the integration of relevant theoretical frameworks and the collection of qualitative and appropriate information. The mountain regions are particularly susceptible to various forms of natural hazards, which can result in substantial devastation, including the loss of human life and valuable resources. The Darjeeling-Kalimpong hills are especially vulnerable to intense precipitation, particularly during the monsoon season as well as landslides, earthquakes and the impact of climate change/variability. The present study focuses on vulnerability and encompasses a theoretical framework for evaluating risk and a component that incorporates people’s perceptions using the Pressure and Release Model. This framework helps to investigate how vulnerability in the Darjeeling–Kalimpong hill region of West Bengal arises from a combination of root causes, dynamic pressure, and unsafe conditions. Moreover, the study emphasises how vulnerable situations can be addressed and reduced in hazard-prone areas. Therefore, the Government should implement policies for monitoring and regulating disaster risk to ensure long-term sustainability in the Darjeeling-Kalimpong hill region.