Assessing farmers’ vulnerability to floods and landslides in Kerala using a multidimensional Societal Vulnerability Index (SVIFL)

In recent years, natural disasters such as floods and landslides have severely affected tropical and developing countries, including India, claiming lives and disrupting economic and social structures. Assessing the vulnerability of farmers in these regions to natural disasters is crucial for reducing disaster-related risks and ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods. In this study, we assess the vulnerability of farmers in Kerala, India, using the Societal Vulnerability Index for Floods and Landslides (SVIFL). The SVIFL is a composite index that estimates the vulnerability of farmer communities to floods and landslides by incorporating social, physical, environmental, and economic indicators. By examining farmers' vulnerability to floods and landslides, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of how these hazards impact individuals and communities. To develop the index and enable regional comparisons, we collected data from 520 farm households in Kerala's highlands and lowlands. We selected 80 site-specific indicators for the vulnerability assessment. The SVIFL results indicate that the highlands of Kerala are more vulnerable to floods and associated landslides than the lowlands. Among the four components analysed, economic vulnerability ranks highest, followed by environmental and physical vulnerability. Interestingly, the social component is the least susceptible to natural disasters in Kerala. Thus, the SVIFL framework developed serves as a basis for assessing the vulnerability of farming communities across similar agro-ecological conditions in tropical and developing countries, contributing to disaster preparedness and climate resilience.