An Assessment Method for Evaluating Vulnerability to Regional Disasters and Its Application to Disaster due to Heavy Rain

Abstract

In disaster management, it is essential to evaluate how dangerous the disasters are and how vulnerable our communities are to them. The Region Safety Index and the Region Safety Levels provide information about the level of safety in a local area against disasters, but this information is not enough for use in disaster management. This study proposes a vulnerability assessment method that utilizes the concept of a vulnerability function to analyze disaster records, weather data, and statistical data using a GIS program. We identified regions vulnerable to heavy rain using vulnerability figures and analyzed time-series changes in region vulnerability. This vulnerability assessment provides specific information on disasters and can be used by disaster managers as empirical information for planning and implementing disaster management plans.