Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach

Abstract Vulnerability assessment is essential for understanding and launching effective flood risk reduction strategies. This study aimed to examine the vulnerability of flood-prone rural communities in southern Punjab, Pakistan to external shocks. The concept of vulnerability encompasses a range o...

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Main Authors: Samavia Rasool, Irfan Ahmad Rana, Hassam Bin Waseem
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-02-01
Series:International Journal of Disaster Risk Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-024-00547-9
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author Samavia Rasool
Irfan Ahmad Rana
Hassam Bin Waseem
author_facet Samavia Rasool
Irfan Ahmad Rana
Hassam Bin Waseem
author_sort Samavia Rasool
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Vulnerability assessment is essential for understanding and launching effective flood risk reduction strategies. This study aimed to examine the vulnerability of flood-prone rural communities in southern Punjab, Pakistan to external shocks. The concept of vulnerability encompasses a range of dimensions, including physical, social, institutional, environmental, economic, and attitudinal. Using a composite index method, indices were developed for each dimension and combined to create a multidimensional measure of vulnerability. A sample of 365 communities was selected using the Yamane sampling technique, and data were collected through a questionnaire containing 65 indicators across all dimensions. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. The results show that communities near the Chenab River had higher attitudinal and institutional vulnerability compared to other communities. High attitudinal vulnerabilities were associated with poorly perceived flood risks and low preparedness measures, whereas institutional vulnerabilities were driven by conventional flood protection strategies, lack of institutional trust, and lack of flood risk awareness. This research provides insights into the various components of vulnerability in flood-prone rural communities in Pakistan and demonstrates a useful methodology that can be applied to other disasters at different spatial scales.
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spelling doaj.art-f1145139d310452e88d470f774e63d402024-03-17T12:13:07ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Science2095-00552192-63952024-02-011518810610.1007/s13753-024-00547-9Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based ApproachSamavia Rasool0Irfan Ahmad Rana1Hassam Bin Waseem2Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)Abstract Vulnerability assessment is essential for understanding and launching effective flood risk reduction strategies. This study aimed to examine the vulnerability of flood-prone rural communities in southern Punjab, Pakistan to external shocks. The concept of vulnerability encompasses a range of dimensions, including physical, social, institutional, environmental, economic, and attitudinal. Using a composite index method, indices were developed for each dimension and combined to create a multidimensional measure of vulnerability. A sample of 365 communities was selected using the Yamane sampling technique, and data were collected through a questionnaire containing 65 indicators across all dimensions. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. The results show that communities near the Chenab River had higher attitudinal and institutional vulnerability compared to other communities. High attitudinal vulnerabilities were associated with poorly perceived flood risks and low preparedness measures, whereas institutional vulnerabilities were driven by conventional flood protection strategies, lack of institutional trust, and lack of flood risk awareness. This research provides insights into the various components of vulnerability in flood-prone rural communities in Pakistan and demonstrates a useful methodology that can be applied to other disasters at different spatial scales.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-024-00547-9Chenab RiverFlood hazardIndus RiverPakistanRural areasVulnerability to flooding
spellingShingle Samavia Rasool
Irfan Ahmad Rana
Hassam Bin Waseem
Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
International Journal of Disaster Risk Science
Chenab River
Flood hazard
Indus River
Pakistan
Rural areas
Vulnerability to flooding
title Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
title_full Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
title_fullStr Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
title_full_unstemmed Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
title_short Assessing Multidimensional Vulnerability of Rural Areas to Flooding: An Index-Based Approach
title_sort assessing multidimensional vulnerability of rural areas to flooding an index based approach
topic Chenab River
Flood hazard
Indus River
Pakistan
Rural areas
Vulnerability to flooding
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-024-00547-9
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AT hassambinwaseem assessingmultidimensionalvulnerabilityofruralareastofloodinganindexbasedapproach