Journal of Global Resources
Volume 4 (01)January 2018
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

Page 102-106

15AN ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD VULNERABILITY USING RISK MATRIX METHODA CASE STUDY OF KANAYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU
Vignesh K. S.1 and Madha Suresh V.2
1 Research Scholar, University of Madras, Chennai, India
2 Professor and Head, CNHDS University of Madras Chennai, India

Email: ksvigneshphd@gmail.com
Abstract: Kanniyakumari district is the southernmost part of Tamil Nadu which is prone todisaster and escalating disaster losses. An effective way of disaster mitigation is the foundation
for proficient disaster response and rescues which results for reducing the degree of hazardous
impacts on the population. Vulnerability is the term to which the populations capacity to anticipate
and recover the impact of hazardous event. Vulnerability systematically estimates the damage
that could be caused by a potential disaster. The main aim of this paper is to assess the flood
vulnerability of region using risk matrix method. It highlights the identification of elements andstakeholders potentially at risk, identification of factors influencing on vulnerability and themitigation measures to reduce the hazards.
Keywords: Vulnerability assessment, Matrix method, Mitigation measures, Risk reduction
Introduction
Asia is the one of the most disaster-prone region in the world. Millions of populations are at risk
to natural hazards such as typhoon, flood, landslides and fires. According to National Institute forDisaster Management (NIDM), the disaster is defined as a “catastrophic situation in which thenormal pattern of life or ecosystem has been disrupted and extra-ordinary emergency
interventions are required to save and preserve lives and or the environment. Their impacts arediverse in nature and also it leads to loss of life, injury and diseases and the destruction ofproperty and other assets, disasters can also cause socio-economic and environmental
disruption. In particularly, the hydrological hazards that affect an increasing number of people andcause increasingly large economic losses (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk ReductionUNISDR). India is ranked as high-risk class, as per INFORM rating, with the risk management
index of 5.7, whereas in terms of flood hazard index, the value is about 8.5 comparatively.
In general, the coastal region is one of the most dynamic zones on landscape which
subject to various natural and anthropogenic processes that continuously changes the conditionof the coastal region (Natesan and Anitha 2010). In fact, the coastal zones in India assumes
importance because of high productivity of its ecosystems, density of population, utilization ofrenewable and nonrenewable natural resources, industrialization and spurt in recreationalactivities. Boundaries of the coastal zones are defined in different ways depending on the focus ofinterest and availability of data. Typically, a combination of distance to coast and elevation data isused. Different countries use different distance criteria for defining the coastal zone. In India, 500
m distance from the high tide line (landward) is taken for demarcating the coastal zone. Total
coast line of the world is 3,56,000 km and the coastal area covers more than 10 percent of theearth surface. Due to its economic and natural enrich, the world’s population of about 40 per centlives within 100 km of the coast. About 10 percent of the world’s population resides in lowelevation coastal zone (<10m) making their lives highly vulnerable to coastal disasters. About 35
per cent of Indians live within 100 km of the country’s coast line measuring 7,517 km. The
statistical data of global disaster shows that the hazard and exposure of the country is in theindex of 7.8, but it has to be highlighted that the disaster risk reduction (DRR) index in the valueof 1.8 only. DRR is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing that risk.
Specifically, the purpose of DRR is to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout asociety to avoid or limit (mitigate and prepare for) the adverse impacts of natural hazards, as wellas to facilitate sustainable development. DRR is also recognized as a key climate change102adaptation strategy. There is a tremendous need of conceptual training and awarenessprogramme for the disaster risk reduction in order to prepare the effective disaster management
plan for the nation. (Zhang, D. H. 2009). Earthquakes and Tsunami can affect the coastal line
communities and must be included in disaster risk reduction strategies and processes. Thecommunity people living along the coastal region can be easily destroyed by disastrous event andsafe zones are difficult to reach by the people. Tsunami, Cyclone and Sea level rising involve
vulnerable risk and have the potential to cause massive damage to the coastal communities(Beevi, H. 2014). The study highlighted that 44 coastal fishing villages are partly located below
the two meter contour line in Kanyakumari district and hence it is highly vulnerable to sea levelrise. The study of natural disaster and its socio economic and environmental impact ofKanniyakumari district highlighted that the overall damages to be at 574.5 million dollars andlosses at 448.3 million dollars, where the 75 percent of damage and losses were on the coastal
region. Coastal landform configurations are dependent on the pre-existing coastal settings,
geological structures and a variety of coastal processes.
Most of the landforms along southern coast of Tamil Nadu particularly on the south west
coast of Kanniyakumari district have undergone morphological deformation due to the effect ofTsunami occurred on December 26, 2004. (Saravan, S. 2009). Coastal zones are dynamic areasthat are constantly undergoing change in response to a multitude of factors including sea levelrise, wave and current patterns, hurricanes and human influences. Disaster leads follows
restoration and augmentation principles which give more benefits to the low-income group of thecoast. In the coastal region the higher is the loss of property, the lower is the tendency among thedwellers to invest which has a long-lasting effect on capital formation and social development.
(Juntunen, L. 2005). The main aim of this paper is to assess the vulnerability of coastal region
using risk matrix method. Remote sensing and GIS can be used as an effective tool to identify theareas that are vulnerable to coastal erosion along the coast.
Study Area
The study area is taken for the study is the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu. The district lies
between 770 15' and 770 36' of the Eastern longitudes and 80 03' and 80 35' of the Northern
Latitudes (Figure 1). The Southeastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On the South and theSouthwest, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The total area ofKanniyakumari district is 1,684 sq.km. The population of the district according to the Census 2011
is 1,870,374 and the population density is 1,111persons/sq.km. The district has fourmunicipalities Nagercoil, Padmanabhapuram, Colachel and Kuzhithurai, which includes fourtaluks namely Thovalai, Agastheeswaram, Kalkulam, Vilavancode and these four taluks arefurther sub divided into nine blocks. The sea coasts, the sandy type of soil prevails and near themountain ranges, gravelly soil is generally seen. In low lands, there is neither white sand nor
sandy lam, while in the midlands and high lands there prevails fairly fertile soil of the fine type.
Rainfall varies from 103 cm to 310 cm and elevation from sea level is 1829 m.
Objectives
The assessment on coastal vulnerability recognizes that whether in pre-disaster or post disasterfollows that the vulnerability gets transformed (either reduced or increased) with the nature ofdevelopment performance and design inputs. The main aim of this paper is to assess the flood
vulnerability of region using risk matrix method. GIS can be used as an effective tool to identify
the areas that are vulnerable to coastal erosion along the coast.
Methodology
Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability is the term to which the populations capacity to anticipate and recover the impact ofhazardous event. Vulnerable populations usually include those with low incomes, individuals who
may be chronically or terminally ill, physically or mentally disabled, homeless, or uninsured orunderinsured; and the elderly, children, and pregnant women. One ongoing area of vulnerability is
the surge capacity for large-scale events. During the response phase, (96 hours after the disasteroccurs), the affected communities are coupled with stress that need immediate and specialized
first aid services. A Vulnerability assessment is the significant step in the emergency response to103

a disaster. It shall methodologically evaluate the degree of impact and provide backgroundinformation to create a targeted disaster mitigation plan.
Figure 1: Study Region

Social Vulnerability
Social vulnerability refers to the resilience of communities when affected by external stresses onhuman health, such as natural or human-caused disasters, or disease outbreaks. When there isdisastrous event some citizens such as children, elderly people and other physically challenged
people may be unable to protect them or evacuate if necessary. The concept of vulnerability also
involves socio-economic factors that affect community resilience.
Physical Vulnerability
According to UNISDR, the physical vulnerability may be determined by aspects such as
population density levels, remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for
critical infrastructure and for housing. The physical vulnerability of a region also depends on its
geographic proximity to the source, meteorological parameters and origin of the disasters e.g. if
region lies near the coast it makes the area more vulnerable to disasters as compared to an areathat is far away from the origin of the disaster. The present study analyzed the rainfall pattern of
the study area for two decades.
Capacity
According to NIDM the term capacity is the combination of all the strengths, attributes andresources available within a community, society or organization that can be used to achieve
agreed goals. The process by which people, organizations and society systematically motivateand develop their capacities over time to achieve social and economic goals, including throughimprovement of knowledge, skills, systems, and institutions called capacity development. At
Kanniyakumari region primary health care delivery system to the rural has been provided by 9Block Primary Health Centers, 27 additional Primary Health Centers, 6 Urban Primary HealthCenter and 267 Health Sub Centers. Through these health centers curative and preventive
services are being extended to the rural community. Additionally, 27 numbers of sub primary
health centers. The emergency ambulance service for the district is 9 regular ambulances and 1
neonatal ambulances of which totally 959 trips per month.
Hazards Profile
According to NIDM the term Hazard is the dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or
condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of104

livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. The study
area taken for the study is prone to disasters due to a number of dynamics which includes bothnatural and human-induced, including adverse geo-climatic conditions, topographic features,environmental degradation, population growth, urbanization, industrialization, non-scientificdevelopment practices etc. Various hazards to which Kanniyakumari is prone to can be broadly
divided into three categories viz. Hydrological or climate related; Geological and Technologicalhazards. Based on the above clarification the table.1 given below signifies the hazard profile ofthe district
Table 01: Hazard Profile Kanayakumari District#Coastal areas affected by flood
1
Kanniyakumari
2
Azhagappapuram
3
Agsteeswaram
4Kottaram
5Thamaraikulam
6Nagercoil
7
Vadiveeswaram
8Vadaseri
9Neenadakarai (Block - A)
10 Vembanoor
11 Suchindrum
12 Theroor
13 Kulasekarapuram
14 Marungoor
15 Eraviputhoor
16 Parakkai
17 Thengamputhoor
18 Mathusoothanapuram
19 Neendakarai (Block - B)
20 Dharmapuram
Source: Kanniyakumari Collector Office1992
NA

2010

2016

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA- Not Applicable

Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is a key parameter for disaster strategy planning. There are many noncompleteness perpetual problems in disaster risk analysis and research. The implementation ofrisk assessment in the study area is usually limited due to the constraints of obtaining data in realapplications. The risk is the amount of hazard that occurred to the vulnerability level at theexisting capacity over a specific time period. The combination of probability of an event and its
negative consequences is termed as risk. In fact, the amount of risk is usually categorized into asmall number of levels because neither the probability nor harm severity can typically beestimated with accuracy and precision. In this case, there is need of quantitative assessment toevaluate the level of risk for any hazard events.
Risk = (Hazard x Vulnerability) / Capacity
In fact, the amount of risk is usually categorized into a small number of levels because
neither the probability nor harm severity can typically be estimated with accuracy and precision. In
this case, there is need of quantitative assessment to evaluate the level of risk for any hazard
events. A combination of the impact of loss rating and the vulnerability rating can be used toevaluate the potential risk to the facility from a given events. A sample risk matrix is depicted inTable 2. High risks are designated by the red cells, moderate risks by the yellow cells, and low
risks by the green cells.
Conclusions
The study of quantitative risk assessments of vulnerability along the coastal region has beenconducted. It is noted that the proportion of population density and literacy rate is relatively highand hence, the communities and stakeholders along the coastal region are prone to moderate
vulnerability. The rainfall pattern analysis helps to interpolate the physical vulnerability of theregion which tends to be a flood severe zone. Finally, the methodology adopted for the risk matrix
105

indicates that the study region falls under the category 4C. Therefore, the result concludes thatthe region under the study have very high severity if the probability of occurrence is occasional.
As suggestive measure it is to be noted that government and other organizations are ready tosupport the coastal area communities in terms of post disaster phase than in the pre-disaster
phase. The community people around the district are reasonably suitable for handling theemergency situation. So, the community shall be provided with emergency mock drill or any
awareness training programme for the reduction of disastrous situation.

Probability
Frequent
Probable
Occasional
RemoteImprobable

AB
CD
E

Table 02: Risk Matrix for Kanayakumari District
Severity
Low
MediumHigh
Very High
12
3
4
1A
2A
3A
4A
1B
2B
3B
4B
1C
2C
3C
4C
1D
2D
3D
4D
1E
2E
3E
4E

Catastrophic
5
5A
5B
5C
5D
5E

Source: Authors Compilation

Low Vulnerable
Medium Vulnerable
Highly Vulnerable
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