A multidimensional assessment of household vulnerability to coastal hazards and its determinants in Odisha’s coastal districts

Abstract Coastal households in eastern India are increasingly affected by recurrent cyclones, flooding, storm surges, salinity intrusion, and coastal erosion, yet household-level evidence on multidimensional vulnerability remains limited. This study assesses household vulnerability to coastal hazards in Puri and Kendrapara districts of Odisha, India, and identifies the major socio-economic and preparedness-related determinants of vulnerability. Primary data were collected from 410 households through a structured survey conducted in 2023. A five-dimensional Multidimensional Coastal Household Vulnerability Index (MCHVI) was constructed by combining hydro-geological, social, economic, infrastructural, and awareness-related vulnerability dimensions. Indicators were standardized on a 0–1 scale, aggregated into dimension-wise indices, and classified into low, moderate, and high vulnerability categories. An ordinal logistic regression model was then used to identify the factors associated with household vulnerability levels. The findings show that hydro-geological and economic vulnerabilities are the most pronounced dimensions in the study area. Overall, 26.1% of households fall in the high-vulnerability category, 60.2% in the moderate-vulnerability category, and 13.7% in the low-vulnerability category. The regression results indicate that dependent population, education, occupation, annual income, income diversification, and indigenous disaster preparedness knowledge significantly influence household vulnerability. Farming, fishing, and agricultural labour households are more vulnerable, while higher education, diversified income sources, and indigenous preparedness knowledge reduce the probability of high vulnerability. The study highlights the importance of livelihood diversification, disaster preparedness education, climate-resilient infrastructure, salinity management, and community-based adaptation strategies for reducing household vulnerability in coastal Odisha.