Vulnerability assessment of Cuddalore coast Tamil nadu India the science policy interface

Abstract

About one third of Indian population is estimated to be living in the coastal region of which more than 250 million people live within 50kms of the coastline and are dependent on its resources as coastal region offers many livelihood opportunities Coastal zone is frequently exposed to natural hazards including cyclones and tsunamis causing storm surges, erosion accretion landslides and coastal flooding which are constantly affecting the shorelines beaches and headlands that often have resulted in loss of human life damage to ecosystems and to property Natural hazards such as cyclones storm surge and coastal flooding need not necessarily have to become natural disasters Magnitude and risk of disasters are directly proportional to the sensitivity and degree of resilience of newlinethe exposed community To mitigate the ill effects of hazards a thorough understanding of the vulnerability causing factors and community s coping capabilities is needed for which vulnerability analysis is essential A comprehensive vulnerability analysis would help in appropriate planning and adequate management of vulnerability with stakeholders involvement that would result in significant risk reduction besides improving the coping capacity of vulnerable community newline