Micro Level Flood Vulnerability Assessment for Enhance Community Resilience in Lower Brahmaputra Valley Assam India

Abstract

The flood vulnerability index (FVI) is a critical tool for assessing the susceptibility of areas to flooding, integrating various dimensions such as social, economic, and physical factors. Recent studies have developed diverse methodologies to create FVIs that reflect local conditions and enhance community resilience. These methodologies utilize advanced techniques, including artificial intelligence, geographic information systems (GIS) and participatory approaches, to generate comprehensive vulnerability assessments. This study aims to assess flood vulnerability in the lower Brahmaputra River Valley of Assam. Four vulnerability indices i.e. social, economic, environmental, and physical was calculated using twenty-one parameters and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used for parameters weightage calculation. Farther these indices were combined to derive a final flood vulnerability index (FVI). The twenty-one parameters represent economic, social, environmental and physical aspects of the study area. The study finds that 58% of the villages in the study area are economically vulnerable, 57% are socially vulnerable, 56% are environmentally vulnerable, and 48% are physically vulnerable. It requires a holistic flood vulnerability planning and management approach for reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience.