Gauging Natural Hazard Vulnerability and Its Determinants in Rural Coastal Areas: A Study in Coastal Districts of Odisha in India

Climate change is expected to affect the coastal districts, increasing the risk to lives and livelihoods. Rural communities in the coastal belts of Odisha are predominantly impacted by natural hazards such as cyclones and floods, indicating a higher level of coastal vulnerability. An exhaustive vulnerability assessment is carried out to determine the extent of vulnerability within the coastal districts of Odisha. The composite vulnerability index is constructed using 21 indicators for three components: adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. The results show that Balasore and Bhadrak districts are comparatively more vulnerable, as their exposure components are higher than those of other districts. But the greater adaptive capacity of Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur and Puri makes them less vulnerable. The estimates of the binary logistic model suggest that the percentage of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population, population density, percentage of cultivator population and availability of health facilities determine vulnerability. This information can be used to ascertain the adaptive capability, such as access to health facilities and improving health infrastructure, and the sensitivity of coastal communities that are most appropriate for different regions to diminish their vulnerability.