Mapping of Cyclone
Disaster Vulnerability using Geospatial Techniques and Analytical Hierarchy Process:
Implications for Resilient Urban Planning in Coastal City of Southern Tamil Nadu
Constan Antony Zacharias Grace, Soundranayagam John Prince, Antony Antony Alosanai
Promilton and Viswasam Stephen Pitchaimani
Disaster Advances; Vol. 18(7); 50-60;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/187da050060; (2025)
Abstract
This study introduces a novel integrated approach for cyclone disaster vulnerability
assessment in Thoothukudi Coastal City, Tamil Nadu uniquely combining Geographic
Information Systems with Analytical Hierarchy Process methodology at neighbourhood
scale. The research systematically analysed ten vulnerability parameters under five
categories: meteorological (wind speed), coastal topography (distance from coast,
elevation), geomorphological (aspect, drainage density), infrastructure-demographic
(population density, building density, road network density) and environmental (land
use/land cover, vegetation cover). Unlike previous regional assessments, this study
developed a comprehensive neighbourhood-level vulnerability framework specifically
calibrated for coastal urban planning applications. The innovation lies in the integration
of both physical exposure and socio-economic sensitivity parameters through expert-driven
AHP analysis which established refined parameter weightages with wind speed (30%),
coastal proximity (12%) and elevation (12%) emerging as dominant factors. The vulnerability
mapping revealed that only 25.80% of the municipality falls under high to very high
vulnerability zones predominantly in eastern coastal areas while 64.37% exhibits
moderate vulnerability.
The research uniquely translates vulnerability science into actionable urban planning
interventions including vulnerability-based zoning regulations, enhanced building
standards in high-risk zones, strategic infrastructure placement and climate-responsive
green infrastructure development. This study represents the comprehensive cyclone
vulnerability assessment for Thoothukudi coastal city that bridges the gap between
disaster science and practical urban planning by providing a replicable methodology
for other coastal urban centres facing similar hazards.
