Understanding Flood Vulnerability Using Index-based Approach: A Study of Chilmari Upazila, Kurigram, Bangladesh

The lives and livelihoods of the people of Bangladesh are regularly threatened by natural disasters and climate dangers. Floods are the most common occurrence that puts people and their properties at risk. This study was conducted to assess the flood vulnerability of Chilmari upazila, which is located in Kurigram district of Bangladesh. Using a random sampling technique, primary data was obtained from 395 households in six unions of Chilmari upazila through a structured questionnaire survey. The Flood Vulnerability Index (FVI), an index-based approach, has been used to assess flood vulnerability. A set of 23 indicators has been fixed to assess four components of floods: physical, economic, social and environmental. Following this procedure, an FVI score was calculated for each of the unions (administrative unit of upazila) of Chilmari. Ashtamir Char, Nayerhat and Chilmari were designated as ‘very vulnerable’ based on the FVI study. Since these unions have relatively low levels of adjustability, coping ability and resilience, their sensitivity and vulnerability are high. Two of the unions of Chilamri are found to be highly vulnerable to floods and another to be generally vulnerable to floods. The results of the FVI analysis have been used to produce a flood vulnerability map of Chilmari upazila. As FVI consists of multi-dimensional indicators, the analysis can be used to pursue specific flood-mitigation measures in Chilmari.