Socioeconomic Vulnerability to Urban Floods in Guwahati, Northeast India: An Indicator-Based Approach

Abstract

Abstract An effective disaster risk reduction requires quantification of vulnerability. The increased instances of urban floods worldwide with notable socioeconomic vulnerability enhance the importance of incorporating socioeconomic vulnerability in flood management plans in urban centers. The social vulnerability indicates the intangible damages to human system, while economic vulnerability refers to incapability of exposed population in accessing resources to withstand adverse shocks. The chapter intends to make a location-specific flood vulnerability assessment in Guwahati, northeast India, experiencing notable urban flood instances with tangible and intangible damages in recent decades. An indicator based approach applying LVI and LVI–IPCC has been used to assess socioeconomic vulnerability from urban floods in Guwahati. The study finds adverse effects on socioeconomic aspects such as education, health, transportation, drinking water, sanitation, and livelihoods. Loss in income-generating activity caused by urban flood poses livelihood insecurity to the flood victims engaged in unorganized sector.