Assessing climate vulnerability across districts of Odisha, India: A multidimensional index-based approach

This study assesses climate vulnerability across the 30 districts of Odisha, India, using a multidimensional index-based approach guided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change framework. It integrates three vulnerability factors—exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity—across social, economic, physical, and environmental domains. The analysis uses 37 indicators sourced from government datasets, agricultural statistics, and disaster records. Weights were assigned through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and indices were mapped spatially using QGIS. 

The results indicate substantial regional disparities due to factors such as poor healthcare, inadequate housing, degraded land, low forest cover, groundwater depletion, and high socio-economic sensitivity. Environmental and physical dimensions are the dominant contributors to overall vulnerability. The authors recommend targeted adaptation strategies focusing on ecological restoration, infrastructure strengthening, poverty reduction, improved health services, and enhanced access to basic amenities.