Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Recovery After Cyclone Yaas: A Micro-Level Study on Coastal Communities of Purba Medinipur

Abstract Coastal communities in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal are perpetually exposed to hydrometrological hazards. Cyclone Yaas (May 2021) caused catastrophic damage, not only to the physical landscape but also to the socio-economic fabric of the Shankarpur and Chandpur coastal tracts. This study evaluates the multi-dimensional vulnerability (social, economic, and infrastructural) of the coastal population and examines the nature of their recovery processes following the devastation caused by Cyclone Yaas. A micro-level investigative approach was adopted, combining primary household surveys and field observations. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative data to assess damage to livelihoods (primarily fishing and salt-pan farming), housing structures, and local resources. Vulnerability was mapped by analyzing indicators such as income loss, displacement, and access to relief services. The findings reveal that the local economy, heavily dependent on marine fisheries and tourism, faced a neartotal collapse post-cyclone due to saline water inundation and structural damage. Small-scale fishers and marginal farmers were identified as the most vulnerable groups with the lowest adaptive capacity. While immediate relief provided a temporary safety net, the long-term recovery is hindered by repeated embankment failures, loss of livestock, and a lack of diversified livelihood options. The study also highlights a significant shift in the local socio-economic structure due to forced migration in the aftermath. The research emphasizes that recovery is not merely about rebuilding infrastructure but requires a "Build Back Better" approach. It suggests implementing community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) strategies, providing climate-resilient housing, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities to enhance the socio-economic resilience of the Purba Medinipur coast.