Holistic approach to assess the coastal vulnerability to oceanogenic multi-hazards along the coast of Andhra Pradesh, India

The coastal vulnerability to multi-hazard study aims to assess the coastal zones of Andhra Pradesh that really are vulnerable to various oceanogenic hazards. Using high-resolution coastal elevation, the maximum extent of coastal inundation during extreme high waves of cyclones & tsunamis, shoreline change, and sea-level rise can be computed. Vulnerability impact up to the village level was assessed based on future projection (return period) of multi-hazard impact using a holistic approach with geospatial techniques. The current study results revealed that 706 villages and 8 towns that are completely falling under CMZ are at risk. A total of 9682 km2 of coastal zones of Andhra Pradesh coast are exposed and prone to inundation as recorded under CMZ. Krishna, Godavari, Guntur and Prakasham districts comprise 70% of the total CMZ area are large low-lying areas exposed to ocean hazards. CMZ area along Andhra Pradesh coast recorded a significant negative correlation of − 0.65 with coastal elevation and a positive correlation of 0.34 with coastal exposure index. Shoreline change assessed from 1972 to 2019 across the study area reveals the 7% under high erosion along the headland and low-lying area of Krishna-Godavari delta. The outputs and maps produced in this study provide vital input for coastal disaster management and necessary policy interventions.