Integrating socio-economic variables in urban flood damage assessments: a case study of Bengaluru, India

Urban flooding can lead to significant economic and social repercussions. To effectively understand and mitigate these impacts, conducting a flood risk assessment is crucial. This research focuses on evaluating flood damage in the flood-prone areas of the Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley in Bengaluru, India. The study involved surveying these regions to gather data on population characteristics, demographics, economic status, property details, and repair costs following a flood for both residential and commercial properties. Utilising Random Forest and multivariate regression analyses, the study identified the primary factors that influence flood damage. These factors were then employed to develop distinct flood damage functions for the residential and commercial sectors. The research underscores the vital role of flood depth in contributing to damage in both types of properties. It reveals that flood depth has a significant impact on structural damage as well as damage to the contents within these properties. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between flood depth and residential property prices, indicating that more valuable properties in flood-prone areas are likely to incur more severe damage. Conversely, a negative correlation observed in the commercial sector suggests that higher property prices may be linked to better flood protection measures. These findings offer valuable insights that can assist policymakers and urban planners in making informed decisions. They highlight the importance of economic resilience in flood-prone regions and guide future flood risk management strategies.