Coastal vulnerability assessment for the coast of Tamil Nadu, India—a geospatial approach

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop a spatial coastal vulnerability index (CVI) map for the Tamil Nadu (TN) coast of India. TN has a diversity of coastal and marine environments, which are ecologically fragile zones. Climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of severe coastal hazards, such as those brought on by rising sea levels, cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis, erosion, and accretion, which will have a severe impact on the local environmental and socioeconomic conditions. This research employed expert knowledge as well as weights and scores from the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to create vulnerability maps includes the integration of various parameters such as geomorphology, Land use and Land Cover (LULC), Signi cant Wave Height (SWH), Sea Level Rise (SLR), Shoreline Change (SLC), Bathymetry, Elevation and coastal inundation. Based on the results very low 17.26%, low 30.77%, Moderate 23.46%, high 18.20% and very high 10.28%. The several locations tend to be high and very high due to coastal structures and landuse patterns, but few are high because of geomorphological features. This study establishes a framework for decisionmakers to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in coastal zones.

Multi-Criterion Analysis of Cyclone Risk along the Coast of Tamil Nadu, India—A Geospatial Approach

“…The study area encompasses diverse natural habitats, such as sandy beaches, rocky coasts, and muddy flats, in addition to its distinctive geography and climate. Despite the limited distribution of natural habitats, Pichavaram, the world's second-largest mangrove forest, is situated on the coast of the Cuddalore district near Chidambaram [44,45]. The Bay of Bengal, located along the coastal region, is widely recognized as the site of the most powerful and fatal tropical cyclones globally.…”