The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between socioeconomic factors and natural disaster fatalities in 72 selected developing countries from 2000 to 2021, using pooled OLS analysis. The factors analyzed includes land area, total population, urbanization rate, income per capita, trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI) and the corruption index. The findings indicate that higher population density increases disaster risks and impacts, particularly in urban areas, although planned urbanization can help to mitigate these effects. Countries with higher income levels tend to experience greater property and agricultural damage, largely due to the higher value of assets and cost of living. Moreover, higher levels of corruption and foreign direct investment exacerbate disaster impacts by contributing to vulnerable infrastructure development. Conversely, larger land areas are found to mitigate overall death tolls and damage impacts by dispersing populations and resources across wider regions. From a policy perspective, the results highlight the importance of reducing population density in disasterprone areas, promoting sustainable urban planning and enforcing resilient building codes to minimize disaster’s impacts. Transparent governance and anticorruption measures are crucial for ensuring effective disaster response while economic diversification can reduce dependency on external investment and enhanced local resilience to natural disasters. These integrated policy strategies are essential for managing disaster risks effectively in developing countries.

Urban flooding in Bengaluru has become a critical concern due to rapid urbanisation, loss of lakes and encroachment on floodplains, which have increased impervious surfaces and reduced natural drainage. This study integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to create a detailed flood vulnerability understanding for the city. Six major flood-causing parameters, rainfall, proximity to drainage channels, elevation, slope, soil type and land use were identified through literature review and field surveys. Each factor was weighted and ranked using AHP, with a high reliability indicated by a consistency ratio (CR) of 0.07. Thematic spatial layers were developed from remote sensing and ground data and a weighted linear combination method was applied in QGIS to overlay them. The analysis revealed that low-lying, flat terrain areas with impervious or clayey soils, dense built-up zones and proximity to poorly maintained drainage channels are most vulnerable to flooding. The approach achieved over 95% mapping accuracy, demonstrating its effectiveness for urban flood hazard assessment. The resulting vulnerability map offers valuable guidance for urban planners, policymakers and disaster management authorities in prioritizing mitigation measures, improving drainage infrastructure and implementing targeted flood risk reduction strategies in Bengaluru.

The Himalayan Mountains are rich in springs as a vital source of groundwater and they are used for drinking water, agriculture and other domestic purposes. Some springs have been tapped with the public water supply system for providing raw water to villages, towns, cities and industries. In the last few decades, these sources have felt stress due to increasing population (demand), human interventions and climate factors. Some springs have only seasonal discharge and some are completely dried. Various efforts have been made by the Government and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) on the development of springsheds and management for the augmentation of discharge in the Himalayan region. In Uttarakhand, different Government (Peyjal Nigam, Jal Sansthan) and nongovernment (CHIRAG, HIMCON, Himalaya Sewa Sangh) organizations have been actively involved in the springshed development program over the past years. Many recharge structures (Gully Plug, Deep recharge pit, Percolation pit, Contour trench) and scientific techniques (Isotopes, Remote sensing and GIS, Conceptual modelling and theoretical models) have been implemented at different sites of Uttarakhand. This study describes the technical assessments of the current status of springshed management in Uttarakhand and suggests the possibilities for increasing spring discharge through various scientific approaches.

Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) has become a pivotal framework for addressing the interwoven challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation, thereby ensuring sustainable urban development. This study presents a comprehensive review of diverse methodologies, planning tools including the Green Infrastructure Gauge (GIG) and Urban Green Space Index (UGSI) and compelling case studies that underscore UGI's role in fostering resilient and liveable urban environments. This study highlights the multifaceted benefits of UGI, notably in climate change mitigation, urban heat island reduction, biodiversity conservation, enhanced human well-being, addressing socio-economic disparities and air pollution. Despite these significant advantages, the review acknowledges persistent challenges in UGI implementation, such as limited stakeholder awareness, financial constraints, inadequate inter-agency collaboration and policy integration hurdles. Furthermore, the study explores UGI’s potential for carbon sequestration and biomass management, reinforcing the necessity of holistic urban planning frameworks to optimize ecological and social advantages. The findings firmly establish UGI as not merely an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative for sustainable urban development. This study asks for future research focused on refining UGI assessment tools and methodologies, exploring innovative financing mechanisms and strategic approaches and fostering enhanced stakeholder engagement. Ultimately, prioritizing investment and research in UGI is crucial for cities to enhance their resilience, to improve residents' quality of life and to contribute substantively to global sustainability goals, building truly resilient and liveable urban futures.

Recurrent flooding frequently causes property damage and loss of life in both urban and rural settlements. In Kota Tinggi district, Johor, communities experience persistent flood disruptions, yet limited preparedness hinders their ability to mitigate risks and minimize losses. This study assesses the level of flood preparedness among vulnerable communities in Kota Tinggi and explores coping strategies to enhance resilience. A quantitative methodology was employed with structured questionnaires administered to 63 randomly selected households. The survey questions were formulated based on 20 indicators under three main themes i.e. current knowledge (8 indicators), past experience (5) and personal/communal skills (7). Data were analysed using SPSS (version 20.0), employing descriptive statistics, mean score and standard deviation to evaluate community awareness and preparedness levels. The study finds that the community has strong flood awareness and response skills, gaps in disaster education, information access and communication hinder preparedness. Despite well-established evacuation plans, minimal local authority involvement and inconsistent community training weaken emergency responses. Limited access to emergency supplies further exacerbates vulnerability. Additionally, weaknesses in protective behaviours and early warning systems highlight the need for improved multi-hazard planning and policy support. Strengthening early warning systems, enhancing local government engagement and promoting community-based initiatives are crucial in improving flood resilience and response capacity. The study highlights key community coping strategies, including maintaining flood warning systems, integrating local knowledge with modern preparedness mechanisms, organizing community clean-ups, strengthening disaster education and advocating for long-term flood prevention policies.

Located in eastern India, Odisha has demonstrated exceptional resilience in managing natural disasters. Its disaster management system serves as a model of effective collaboration among Government, community and technology, focused on preserving lives and property. Odisha's innovative strategies empower local communities to make informed decisions and take swift, necessary actions during crises. The State has also established a strong framework for disaster risk mitigation, enabling seamless cooperation among all stakeholders to minimise disaster impacts. Odisha's system has proven highly effective in reducing the consequences of disasters. Through coordinated efforts and initiatives among the Government, community and technology, Odisha has created a resilient framework capable of facing even the most severe calamities. As natural disasters become more frequent and intense, Governments and communities worldwide need to collaborate on developing protective systems for lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. Odisha's achievements provide valuable insights for other regions confronting similar challenges. This study examines the evolution of Odisha's disaster management system over time, highlighting the collaborative efforts that have been instrumental in establishing a robust framework for disaster resilience.

Land is the complex of soil, water and the flora and fauna in a landscape, above and below the soil surfaces and is one of the most important resources for all organisms. Land conversion is a type of land use land cover change and it leads to land degradation. Land degradation affects both on-site and off-site soil productivity and poses a threat to human and animal health, water quality and soil resources caused by factors such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, industrialization, land use land cover change and desertification. Rain deficit also plays a significant role in contributing to land degradation in various regions. The Western Ghats in India, especially the eastern Attappady region, are facing significant land degradation. The objective of the present research is to identify the land degradation expansion and its impact on the landscape of Attappady. To achieve this Landsat series multispectral data, IMD data, ASTER DEM, geospatial tools and multi-influencing factor (MIF) techniques have been employed to analyze land use and land cover changes and land degradation.

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.

Mizoram, the southernmost of the seven sister States in Northeastern India, shares borders with Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Despite its challenging connectivity to mainland India, the region holds strategic geographic advantages. The Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) was initiated in 2008 to enhance trade and connectivity between India’s northeastern States and the rest of the world via the Sittwe port in Myanmar. This project includes the development of a 100 km highway from Lawngtlai, Mizoram to the Myanmar border and navigable waterways linking the Kaladan River to inland transport networks. Geologically, the Kaladan river traverses Oligocene-Miocene sandstones and shales with its course passing through semi-evergreen and bamboo forests. The project, however poses significant environmental challenges including large-scale dredging (2 million cubic meters of sediment), deforestation and altered river nutrient cycles. Increased soil erosion due to high rainfall (254–350 cm annually) threatens aquatic biodiversity and navigation. Sustainable mitigation strategies such as silt traps, riparian vegetation restoration and erosion control using dirt glue polymer are essential to balance development with ecological preservation. Achieving socio-economic growth while maintaining environmental equilibrium remains a critical challenge for the region.

This study developed a typology and conducted a quantitative analysis of urban vacant land within the planned city of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, India. A comprehensive methodology combining an extensive literature review, interpretation Google Earth imagery, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, field measurements and observations was employed to identify and catalogue vacant land parcels. A quantitative assessment of green coverage within these urban vacant land parcels was performed through combination of field measurements and image interpretations. The identified typologies of urban vacant land were: Planned Vacant Land (4.935 km2), encompassing residual planning space and transport line buffers and Geographical Vacant Land (1.297 km2) compromising of natural sites. Planned vacant land is recognized as a crucial resource supporting the ecosystem functions while geographical vacant land contributes significantly to the city’s ecological health with higher density of trees. This typological study provides framework for planners and authorities to strategically utilize urban vacant lands for enhancing ecosystem services and exploring adaptive reuse strategies.