MEVE 015: Unit 05 - Fundamentals of Risk and Vulnerability

-

UNIT 5: FUNDAMENTALS OF RISK AND VULNERABILITY

5.0 Introduction

Disasters do not occur merely due to natural hazards, but rather because of the interaction between hazards and vulnerabilities. Understanding the fundamentals of risk and vulnerability is crucial for designing effective disaster risk reduction strategies.

This unit provides insights into the basic concepts of risk, hazards, vulnerability, and their interrelations. It also explores the multiple dimensions and types of vulnerability, particularly in the Indian context, and identifies the underlying causes of growing vulnerabilities in society.

5.1 Objectives

After completing this unit, learners will be able to:

·         Define and differentiate between risk, hazard, disaster, and vulnerability.

·         Identify the parameters of disaster risk.

·         Understand the types and dimensions of vulnerability.

·         Analyze the causes of increasing vulnerability in India.

·         Recognize the role of governance, environment, and demography in risk amplification.

5.2 Basic Concept of Risk

Risk refers to the potential loss or damage that can occur due to the interaction between a hazard and the vulnerability of an exposed system (people, property, economy, or environment).

Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability

While hazards may be natural or anthropogenic, the degree of vulnerability determines the severity of the impact.

5.3 Parameters of Disaster Risk

Disaster risk is determined by three major parameters:

5.3.1 Hazards

A hazard is a potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, property damage, or environmental degradation.

Examples: Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, industrial explosions, etc.

5.3.2 Disaster

A disaster occurs when a hazard significantly affects vulnerable populations, overwhelming their capacity to cope.

Characteristics of a disaster:

·         Sudden onset

·         Significant disruption

·         Extensive loss of life or property

5.3.3 Vulnerability

Vulnerability is the degree to which individuals or communities are susceptible to the adverse effects of hazards. It reflects the inability to anticipate, cope with, resist, or recover from the impact.

5.4 Dimensions of Vulnerability

5.4.1 Definitions of Vulnerability

Vulnerability refers to the characteristics and circumstances of a community or system that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard.

5.4.2 Types of Vulnerability

·         Physical Vulnerability: Susceptibility due to location, infrastructure, and exposure.

·         Social Vulnerability: Based on demographics (age, gender, caste), literacy, and health.

·         Economic Vulnerability: Linked to poverty, livelihood dependence, and income inequality.

·         Environmental Vulnerability: Degradation of ecosystems, deforestation, and pollution.

·         Institutional Vulnerability: Inadequate planning, lack of governance, or ineffective disaster response mechanisms.

5.4.3 Vulnerability Profile of India

India is one of the most disaster-prone countries globally:

·         60% of landmass is prone to earthquakes.

·         12% is prone to floods.

·         8% is susceptible to cyclones.

·         68% of cultivable area is vulnerable to droughts.

High population density, rapid urbanization, poverty, and environmental degradation increase the vulnerability of Indian society.

5.5 Reasons of Vulnerability

Several socio-economic and environmental factors contribute to increasing vulnerability.

5.5.1 Rapid Population Growth

·         Increases demand on resources and infrastructure.

·         Leads to settlement in hazard-prone areas (e.g., floodplains, unstable slopes).

5.5.2 Urban Expansion

·         Unregulated development leads to poor-quality housing.

·         Slum settlements often lack basic services and are located in vulnerable zones.

5.5.3 Environmental Pollution

·         Degradation of natural buffers like wetlands and forests increases disaster risk.

·         Air and water pollution reduce resilience, especially in public health emergencies.

5.5.4 Epidemics

·         Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and weak health infrastructure contribute to rapid disease transmission (e.g., COVID-19, dengue, cholera).

5.5.5 Industrial Accidents

·         Hazardous industries located near densely populated areas pose serious threats (e.g., Bhopal Gas Tragedy).

·         Lack of safety regulations and emergency preparedness adds to risk.

5.5.6 Inadequate Government Policies

·         Delayed or poorly implemented policies exacerbate risk.

·         Weak enforcement of building codes, land-use planning, and environmental laws increases vulnerability.

5.6 Let Us Sum Up

·         Disaster risk arises from the interaction of hazards and vulnerabilities.

·         Risk assessment includes understanding hazards, vulnerability, and exposure.

·         Vulnerability is multi-dimensional—physical, social, economic, and institutional.

·         India faces high vulnerability due to geography, population, and development challenges.

·         Rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and governance failures are key drivers of vulnerability.

·         Effective risk reduction requires addressing the root causes of vulnerability.

5.7 Key Words

·         Risk: Potential for loss from hazard and vulnerability interaction.

·         Hazard: Potentially damaging event or phenomenon.

·         Disaster: Impact of a hazard that overwhelms capacity to cope.

·         Vulnerability: Susceptibility to harm or inability to cope.

·         Physical/Social/Economic Vulnerability: Categories describing various susceptibility aspects.

·         Exposure: Degree to which a system is in contact with a hazard.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more