Life and livelihood risk assessment for climatic hazard: a case study of the Indian Sundarbans in Ganga Brahmaputra Meghna Delta, India | |
| Author | Tuladhar, Neshma |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.DM-22- |
| Subject(s) | Climatic changes--India--Risk assessment Natural disasters--India--Risk assessment |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study illustrates the risk assessment on the livelihoods of the marginal communities in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta under the backdrop of climate change. The low-lying GBM delta, which is the largest globally, is at severe risk from recent changes in climatic parameters. Climate change associated with sea level rise, increased intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones, and frequent flooding has substantially impacted the delta. High population density added with poor infrastructure, and financial condition only exacerbated the situation. Therefore, in this study, risk perception was established for 19 blocks in Indian Sundarban depending on four significant parameters: Hazard, Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity. Each parameter was further quantified using several factors; for example, Hazard was estimated through four parameters- number of cyclonic incidents, storm surges, flood, and susceptibility to future sea-level rise. Similarly, Exposure was calculated using elevation, slope, land use and population density. A large variety of datasets were used in this study. It includes remote sensing data like LANDSAT 8 OLI (for land use mapping), SRTM DEM (for elevation and slope), PSMSL data (for sea-level rise), MODIS (for flood area), and census data (population parameters estimation) etc. Moreover, group discussion sessions and interviews during the field survey were among the essential inputs in this study. The survey of the study area also helped to identify critical infrastructures which are not always available, like medical facilities in a particular site. The final risk map depicts that Patharpratima, Canning II, Haroa, and Basanti block are at high risk from climate change and associated disasters, followed by Hingalgunj, Minakhan, Canning I, Jaynagar I, and Namkhana. The risk assessment will help the respective authorities and government bodies to take necessary steps toward building a community resilient to natural disasters. |
| Keyword | AIT Scholarships |
| Year | 2022 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development + School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pal, Indrajit |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;Sarawut Ninsawat, |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |