An empirical study to develop a relationship between vulnerability and disaster damage and loss for Sylhet flood 2022

The 2022 Sylhet flood significantly impacted the economy of Sunamganj District in northeastern Bangladesh, revealing inadequate local resilience despite familiarity with flash floods. This study investigates vulnerability across six subdistricts in Sunamganj using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI). Vulnerability factors: adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and exposure, are assessed through 34 indicators grouped into seven components: socio-demographics, livelihood, social network, health, food, water, and natural disasters. The range of LVI varies depending on the calculation method: when using the composite index, it spans from 0 to 1, while using the IPCC’s factors, it ranges from − 1 to + 1, both representing different levels of vulnerability. The composite index model yields LVI values of 0.555 to 0.610, and LVIipcc values range from 0.066 to 0.129, both indicating significant vulnerability. A rigorous damage and loss assessment has been conducted for the study area to determine monetary losses, employing ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) and D-form (Damage and Loss Assessment Form) methodologies. The study found agriculture, housing, business, and transport as damage sectors, and agriculture, housing, business, transport, income, and health as loss sectors. Agriculture and housing bore the brunt, with average per-upazila damage exceeding 8 million BDT (Bangladeshi Taka) and loss of over 3 million BDT, totalling over 11 million BDT. LVI values correlated with average damage and loss, revealing proportional vulnerability. Vulnerability indicators to flash floods include lack of preparedness, training, disaster management knowledge, and assistance accessibility. Strengthening community connectivity, preparedness, early warning dissemination, and reconstruction assistance can reduce vulnerability significantly.