Work

Assessing farmers’ vulnerability to floods and landslides in Kerala using a multidimensional Societal Vulnerability Index (SVIFL)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In recent years, natural disasters such as floods and landslides have severely affected tropical and developing countries, including India, claiming lives and disrupting economic and social structures. Assessing the vulnerability of farmers in these regions to natural disasters is crucial for reducing disaster-related risks and ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods. In this study, we assess the vulnerability of farmers in Kerala, India, using the Societal Vulnerability Index for Floods and Landslides (SVI FL ). The SVI FL is a composite index that estimates the vulnerability of farmer communities to floods and landslides by incorporating social, physical, environmental, and economic indicators. By examining farmers' vulnerability to floods and landslides, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of how these hazards impact individuals and communities. To develop the index and enable regional comparisons, we collected data from 520 farm households in Kerala's highlands and lowlands. We selected 80 site-specific indicators for the vulnerability assessment. The SVI FL results indicate that the highlands of Kerala are more vulnerable to floods and associated landslides than the lowlands. Among the four components analysed, economic vulnerability ranks highest, followed by environmental and physical vulnerability. Interestingly, the social component is the least susceptible to natural disasters in Kerala. Thus, the SVI FL framework developed serves as a basis for assessing the vulnerability of farming communities across similar agro-ecological conditions in tropical and developing countries, contributing to disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Source: Discover Environment

DOI: 10.1007/s44274-025-00444-y

Authors: Dhanusha Balakrishnan, Archana Raghavan Sathyan, Ashutosh Jena, Christoph Funk, Lutz Breuer

Institutions: Kerala Agricultural University, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Language: English

Topic: Disaster Management and Resilience

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, No poverty, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,390