Risk Perceptions and Vulnerability Assessment: Induced from Tropical Cyclone in the Southern Part of Coastal Bangladesh

The coastal area that borders Bangladesh is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters like tropical cyclones, which cause the majority of the damage and fatalities related to flooding. This study attempts to evaluate the susceptibility of coastal flooding induced by tropical cyclones in the South-Western coastal region of Bangladesh. It also identifies the relationship between the influencing factors and respondents’ perceptions of risk in terms of socio-economic characteristics. Data was gathered by using a standardized interview schedule from coastal households of three districts named as South Khali (Bagerhat), Padma Pukur (Satkhira), and Rangopaldi (Patuakhali). The survey was taken through interview to assemble information on risk perception, also explores the impact of flood risk on agriculture, environment and livelihood sectors to describe the most specific vulnerable one of different regions that provides a robust insight of affected residents. Moreover, twenty-one predominant factors in terms of three components reveal a strong relationship with severity to flood risk. Results also indicate that, vulnerability indexes differ significantly (p value < 0.05) in the study areas (vulnerability index = 0.54 in South Khali, 0.77 in Padma Pukur, and 0.74 in Rangopaldi). In addition, disaster vulnerability index differs with different socio-economic and geographical factors which enhance the negative effect of flood for the coastal community. The study also reveals that, the selected area had no adequate dam and embankment, cyclone shelter as well as material support from the government and non-government organization which makes their life risky to flood. The research recommends that, generating different livelihood options, self-organization by different disaster preparedness training program to enhance their resilience, indigenous and disaster risk reduction strategies, build more coastal flood shelters and restore people’s livelihoods by supplying agricultural seeds, livestock, poultry etc. significantly minimize the vulnerability of the affected community.

Keywords: Risk assessment; Tropical cyclone; Flood; Livelihood resilience; Coastal community.