Six divisions of Kochi Corporation at ‘high risk’: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Study

KOCHI: In a vulnerability and risk assessment study conducted in the city of Kochi recently, six divisions of the Kochi Corporation have been classified as ‘high risk’. These divisions are Edakochi North, Edakochi South, Konam, Panampilly Nagar, Ernakulam Central, and Thrikkanarvattom. 

The study was conducted as part of a larger project ‘Vulnerability and Risk Assessment at urban level and per sector in selected cities, including hazard, vulnerability, and impact forecast maps.’ The goal of the assessment was to design hydro-meteorological Resilience Action Plans in certain urban areas selected under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project Phase II. 

In order to help ULBs in Bidhannagar, Kochi, Mangaluru, Panaji, Porbandar, and Ratnagiri create Resilience Action Plans, the report intends to support them in assessing vulnerability and risk. In the report, risk factors such as urban flooding, drought, landslides, cyclones, rainfall, storm surge, and sea-level rise are identified, along with the vulnerable locations, infrastructure, and population groups that are at risk. According to the report, risk assessments for heatwaves, urban heat islands, and lightning were also completed for the six local bodies.

Up to 16 wards, including Earavely, Karippalam, Panayapally, Elamakkara North, Devankulangara, Karukappilli, Palarivattom, Karanakodam, Thammanam, Ponnurunni East, Vyttila, Giri Nagar, Panampilly Nagar, and Elamakkara South, were identified as being particularly at risk for flooding. It has been found that two sections of Edakochi, North and South, are extremely vulnerable to storm surges and sea level rise. The assessment determined that 34 divisions of the local body were particularly exposed to urban heat island hazards. The survey results show that low-income groups and slums are more vulnerable to disasters due to limited coping capacity.

The assessment, which was done by a Netherlands-based company, has drawn out maps of the city showing the hazards, frequency, intensity, vulnerability, and risk.