Home » Disaster Management » Background of Disaster management » Vulnerability Profile of India
- India is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of disasters. Around 59% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity.
- About 12% (over 40 million hectares) of its land is prone to floods and river erosion.
- Close to 5,700 kms, out of the 7,516 kms long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis.
- 68% of its cultivable area is vulnerable to droughts; and, the hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches.
- Moreover, India is also vulnerable to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies and other man-made disasters.
- Disaster risks in India are further compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related to changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, unplanned urbanization, development within high-risk zones, environmental degradation, climate change, geological hazards, epidemics and pandemics.
- Clearly, all these contribute to a situation where disasters seriously threaten India’s economy, its population and sustainable development.
