Abstract
The frequency, intensity, and variability of natural hazards are increasing with climate change. Detailed sub-national information on disaster risks associated with individual and multi-hazards enables better spatial targeting of adaptation and mitigation measures. This paper reviews the global best practices of disaster risk mapping (DRM) to assess the nature and magnitude of disasters, and the vulnerability and risks at the sub-national level in South Asian countries. While some global DRMs focus on vulnerability, others assess risks. Most DRMs focus on national-level vulnerability and risks. Those which focus on the sub-national risks have a limited scope and different methodologies for evaluating risks, mainly in relation to the population. Climate change exposes not only people but also many infrastructures, assets and their impacts to disaster risk. For DRMs to be useful tools for sub-national planning, they require a coherent methodology and a high-resolution spatial focus. The vulnerability and risk assessments should focus on different aspects, including population, infrastructure, and assets in various economic sectors of agriculture, industry, and services.
Highlights
IntroductionPopulation growth and rapid urbanization are driving the increase in disaster risks
Population growth and rapid urbanization are driving the increase in disaster risks.The Bank’s Aftershocks report explains that these trends could put 1.3 billion people and USD 158 trillion in assets at risk from river and coastal floods alone [1]
The main purpose of this study is to review the best practices available globally for disaster risk mapping (DRM) including the methods and tools for national risk as-assessment in South Asian countries
Summary
Population growth and rapid urbanization are driving the increase in disaster risks. The Bank’s Aftershocks report explains that these trends could put 1.3 billion people and USD 158 trillion in assets at risk from river and coastal floods alone [1]. Asia (SA), the incidence of natural hazards increased from about 14 per year in the 1970s to. 24, 36, and 47 per year in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively [4], including losses and damages due to natural disasters. The number of people affected, the loss of lives, and the costs to economies associated with disasters are increasing rapidly. The economic losses triggered by natural hazards at present are over USD four billion per year in SA [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
