Analyzing vulnerability of communities to flood using composite vulnerability index: evidence from Bhagirathi Sub-basin, India

Flood is always a source of social lamentation, huge infrastructural losses and disruption to economic activities in Bhagirathi Sub-basin in India. Climate variability and increasing flood incidents have created a dilemma for social, economic and environmental conditions of the affected communities. These implications necessitate assessing overall flood vulnerability to minimize their short and long-term impacts. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of composite vulnerability among the flood affected communities in Bhagirathi Sub-basin. Data for analyzing composite flood vulnerability were derived from an in-depth survey of 432 households selected through stratified random sampling method in the Sub-basin. Domains of vulnerability such as quality of life, social & economic status, health impacts, ecological implications, losses and adaptation were examined. A total of 95 indicators of these domains were considered to prepare composite vulnerability index of the selected villages. Relationship between vulnerability and households’ characteristics was ascertained using cross tabulation and multinomial logistic regression. Analysis of composite vulnerability index (CVI) revealed very high vulnerability in Nutanhat, Bakkhali, Jhara, Gopalpur, Jayarampur, Titiha, Uchildaha and Mohanpur villages. High vulnerability was observed in Banagram, Mayapur, Amravati, Gobindapur, Raichak Boltala, Talim Nagar Minakhan and Majhirmana villages while Kalna Municipality was found under moderate vulnerability. High losses, ecological & health implications and low socioeconomic conditions of the households aggravated very high to moderate vulnerability in these villages. Gender, income and land possession were found strongly associated with high vulnerability while flood insurance, farming purposes and changes in rainfall pattern were identified inducing moderate vulnerability. CVI analysis assisted in identifying the priority villages for effective policy implications. The study calls for policy implications for lessening the impact of flood in the Sub-basin.