Assessing climate vulnerability across districts of Odisha, India: A multidimensional index-based approach

Padhan, N and Anantha, K H and Madheswaran, S and Garg, K K and Akuraju, V R and Singh, R (2026) Assessing climate vulnerability across districts of Odisha, India: A multidimensional index-based approach. Progress in Disaster Science, 32. pp. 1-18. ISSN 2590-0617

Text - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (7MB)

Abstract

Climate change-induced environmental degradation necessitates adaptive and sustainable resource-use planning. However, uneven development, socio-economic inequality, and increasing climate variability have intensified vulnerability worldwide. To address these challenges, this study develops a Composite Vulnerability Index (CVI) based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change framework, integrating exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity across four domains: social, economic, physical, and environmental. The analysis covers 30 districts of Odisha, a disaster-prone state in eastern India, using 37 carefully selected indicators. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to derive indicator weights to generate domain-specific sub-indices, which were subsequently aggregated into the overall CVI. Spatial patterns of vulnerability were mapped using QGIS, while robustness was assessed through alternative weighting techniques and spatial statistical validation. Results reveal strong regional disparities, with Mayurbhanj, Koraput, and Balangir districts exhibiting high vulnerability (CVI 0.92–1.00), driven by poor healthcare access, inadequate housing, land degradation, low forest cover, groundwater depletion and high socio-economic sensitivity. In contrast, Jharsuguda, Khordha, and Angul districts exhibit relatively low vulnerability (CVI 0.16–0.29), reflecting stronger adaptive capacity through better infrastructure, irrigation coverage, connectivity, higher district incomes, and improved human development outcomes. Spatial autocorrelation analysis confirms significant clustering of vulnerability across districts, highlighting the existence of regional vulnerability hotspots. Environmental and physical dimensions emerge as the dominant contributors to overall vulnerability, highlighting the need for targeted adaptation focused on ecological restoration and infrastructure strengthening.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program - Resilient Farming Systems
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Vulnerability indices, Multidimensional assessment, Adaptation planning, Climate governance, Sustainable development
Subjects:	Others > Odisha Others > Climate Change Others > Sustainable Development
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2026 05:24
Last Modified:	29 Oct 2026 05:24
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13669
Official URL:	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	This study is based entirely on secondary data; no primary data collection was undertaken. The authors would like to thank Dr. Debi Prasad Sahoo, Dr. Aiendrila Dey and Dr. Sourav Roy for their support during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors extend their appreciation to the One CGIAR initiative, particularly the Multifunctional Landscape Science Program (MFL-SP), for supporting a portion of the scientific staff time, which significantly contributed to the interdisciplinary research efforts documented in this work.
Links:	Google Scholar

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item