Coastal Risk Assessment: A Comprehensive Framework for the Bay of Bengal

This book discusses how to collect data and analyze databases in order to map risk zones, and contributes to developing a conceptual framework for coastal risk assessment. Further, the book primarily focuses on a specific case study: the Bay of Bengal along the southeastern coast of India. The dramatic rise in losses and casualties due to natural disasters like wind, storm-surge-induced flooding, seismic hazards and tsunami incidence along this coast over the past few decades has prompted a major national scientific initiative investigating the probable causes and possible mitigation strategies. As such, geoscientists are called upon to analyze the coastal hazards by anticipating the changes in and impacts of extreme weather hazards on the Bay of Bengal coasts as a result of global climate change and local sea-level change.

Ansar Khan is an Assistant Professor of Geography at Lalbaba College, Howrah, India. His research incorporates simulation and numerical modeling of tropical climatic events including urban climate and microclimatic variation using the state-of-the art Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and Regional Climate Model (RegCM). His research on urban climate is certainly a worthy contribution to the contemporary advancement in the same field. Ability of Dr. Khan to identify relevant and worthy research problems, dissect broader issues into specific problems of manageable scope and to come up with pragmatic approach are the traits of his stature. He has commendable expertise in handling data and implementing models in many software platforms like R, MATLAB, FORTRAN, NCL, C++ etc. He has published several books and more than 60 research articles at various reputed national and international level of publication. His research contribution has been recognized by some leading researchers in the domain of climate change research.

Soumendu Chatterjee is a Professor and Head in the Department of Geography at Presidency University, Kolkata, India. His research is largely involved on climate change through Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models in the context of the dynamic nature of the terrestrial & extra-terrestrial phenomena, bio-physical systems and human adaptations. He worked as a corresponding member for the Commission on Hazard and Risk of International Geographical Union (IGU). This book also reflects his ability to come up with worthwhile methodology for assessing disaster risk in coastal areas. He is well equipped to grow from challenges that he encounters. He has attended more than 100 seminars & conferences and delivered invited lectures at different institutions. He has published 7 books and about 100 research papers in many referred national and international publication.