What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to assess coastal vulnerability along the Gujarat coast by analyzing various environmental factors and their impacts.

April 18, 2026Scientific Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Spatio-temporal profiling of coastal hazard / vulnerability assessment along the Gujarat coast, India, over a period of 35 years

CDChandra Shekhar Dwivedi AMAnanya Modak MSManali Santra

Key Points

The study aims to assess coastal vulnerability along the Gujarat coast by analyzing various environmental factors and their impacts.
Utilized a multi-parameter Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) incorporating nine key variables.
Collected data from satellite imagery, tide gauge data, and socio-economic datasets.
Evaluated shoreline changes and assessed vulnerability across different coastal segments.
60% of Gujarat's coastline is categorized as low to very low risk, while approximately 15% is very high vulnerability.
Central districts exhibit the highest vulnerability, while the north-western and southern stretches show greater resilience.
61% of transects analyzed from 1990 to 2025 show a trend of shoreline accretion rather than erosion.

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are highly dynamic and fragile, facing increasing threats from climate-induced changes, sea-level rise, extreme wave action, vegetation loss, and diverse human activities. These factors create immense pressure on fragile ecosystems and species richness and accelerate shoreline degradation and erosion. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of coastal vulnerability along the Gujarat which is longest coastline in India, using a multi-parameter Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). The analysis incorporated nine existing key variables, including shoreline change rate, sea level change, geomorphology, tidal range, elevation, slope, significant wave height, land use/land cover (LULC), and population density. These datasets are derived from satellite imagery, tide gauge data, stationed data, and socio-economic datasets. Results indicate that marked spatial variability in vulnerability: while 60% of Gujarat’s coastline falls under low to very low risk categories, approximately 15% is classified as very high vulnerability, concentrated in central districts such as Bhavnagar, Anand, and Morbi. Conversely, the north-western (Kachchh, Devbhumi Dwarka) and southern (Porbandar, Gir Somnath) stretches demonstrate greater resilience, aided by extensive mudflats, mangroves, and stable geomorphic features. Comparative shoreline changes analysis (1990–2025) revealed a reversal of earlier erosive trends, with 61% of transects now exhibiting accretion. Elevation, slope, and sea level rise emerged as the most influential drivers of vulnerability, while socio-economic factors (LULC and population density) amplified exposure in hazard-prone zones. This integrated CVI approach provides the most spatially detailed vulnerability mapping of the Gujarat coast to date, offering critical insights for policy and decision makers which help in climate adaptation, sustainable coastal zone management, and disaster resilience planning in this area.

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