Socio-environmental vulnerability and disaster risk by flooding in Paraiba State, Brazil

This article presents the Index of Disaster Risk by Flooding (IDRF) in Paraiba state, Brazil, considering different levels of socio-environmental vulnerability and flooding susceptibility areas. The methodology performed a social variables combination subdivided into income, infrastructure, and social situation components; environmental variables (drainage network proximity, declivity, and intense rainfall); and frequency of hydro-meteorological disasters registered in Paraiba's rainfall homogeneous regions. Twenty-four cities were classified as very high and high IDRF. These cities show physical and natural characteristics that shape how flooding is triggered. Also, the cities do not adequately ensure access to housing, potable water, sanitary sewage, solid waste collection and disposal, electric service, education, and other guarantees for social equity. A more effective understanding of socio-environmental vulnerability conditions in Paraiba by considering the environmental susceptibilities and social vulnerabilities at the cities' level will enable significantly advances to socio-environmental planning and disaster risk management.