3.2. Vulnerability Factors

So, also here is another chart you can see from 1950 to 2005, the number of events that flood is increasing, storm also are increasing, earthquake is almost the same as from 1950’s to 2005, you cannot see much huge differences but other disasters you can see they are increasing very prominently.

This chunk discusses the trend of natural hazards from 1950 to 2005. It highlights that flooding and storm events have significantly increased over this period, while earthquake occurrences remained relatively stable. This pattern suggests a growing risk of disasters related to water and atmospheric conditions, which may require increased attention and preparedness.

Think of it like a sports team that has been steadily improving their performance. Just as a coach would analyze the increasing win records to devise better training strategies, communities need to recognize these increases in flood and storm events to enhance their disaster preparedness.

So, now if it is not a barren land or a forest, but some people are working there, then do we care now? Like, it can cause that this rainfall because of the rainfall, this landslide will take place and it may hit this person and he will be injured and property loss will be reported.

This chunk emphasizes the crucial role of human presence in determining the risk associated with hazards. The potential for injury or property damage increases when people occupy areas vulnerable to disasters like landslides. If no one is present, the hazard becomes less concerning because there is no risk to life or property.

Imagine a construction site near a cliff. Developers need to pay special attention to landslide warnings, as workers present at the site would be in danger during heavy rainfall. If there were no workers or buildings in that area, the concern for landslides would be significantly lower.

So, this one we are calling as exposure; the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production capacities and other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas.

Exposure refers to the risk associated with the presence of people, buildings, and infrastructure in areas prone to natural disasters. The more people and assets there are in such locations, the greater the potential impact of hazards. This assessment helps in understanding who is at risk during disasters.

Consider a crowded beach during a hurricane warning. The number of beachgoers increases the exposure, which heightens the potential harm if a sudden storm hits. In contrast, an uninhabited shoreline poses little risk to anyone, illustrating how exposure directly affects vulnerability to hazards.

Another one is the quantity; how many people or structure or buildings are exposed to the hazard, another one is the amount and type of activities they support.

This chunk explores factors that determine exposure, such as the number of people and structures at risk and the type of activities that take place in these areas. Different types of economic activities can influence how vulnerable a community is. For example, industrial activities may lead to higher exposure due to complex infrastructures compared to agricultural settings.

Think of a city with many factories versus a quiet rural area with only farms. The factories, with lots of machinery and people, present a higher risk of disaster exposure compared to the simpler environments of farms where fewer people and less complex structures are present.

It also matter that if this hazard would take place at day time, when people are not working, people are working outside, people are not at their home. Or maybe night time when people are sleeping so, at day time of course, we have less people are exposed to hazards compared to night time.

The timing of hazards significantly influences exposure levels. For instance, a landslide occurring during the day might affect fewer people if many are away at work, while a nighttime event could result in more casualties as people are likely at home and potentially closer to the hazard. Understanding these dynamics helps in risk management efforts.

Imagine a storm hitting a neighborhood at 3 PM when many residents are at their jobs. The risk of injury or damage is lower than if it strikes at midnight when families are sleeping, illustrating how the time of day can change exposure levels dramatically.

So, when we are talking about exposure, maybe these are indicators, we can define how many, what extent, who are exposed. Let us say, building use; residential, commercial, industrial, they define that how many people, what extent, what type of people are exposed to disasters.

This chunk discusses indicators of exposure, including types of buildings (residential, commercial, or industrial) and their occupancy. The type of use can indicate how many people are likely exposed during a disaster. Urban areas with dense residential buildings present different exposure risks compared to rural areas with fewer buildings.

Think of a high-rise apartment complex in a city. In a disaster, many residents are exposed due to the density of occupancy, while in a countryside, scattered single-family homes mean fewer people are at risk. This highlights how building type and use can influence vulnerability.

Or if the people who are exposed they are only poor, they are more at risk, they are more vulnerable, and if a rich people who have better economic capacity, we consider to be that they are less risk.

The socio-economic status of a community plays a crucial role in determining vulnerability. Communities with a higher percentage of impoverished individuals tend to be more vulnerable to disasters because they might lack resources to prepare, respond, or recover from hazards effectively. In contrast, wealthier individuals often have better means to secure their lives and property against disasters.

Consider a low-income neighborhood that cannot afford proper flood defenses. When a flood occurs, residents may suffer greatly due to inadequate resources, while affluent areas can invest in barriers or insurance. This illustrates how economic status affects vulnerability to hazards.

--