reduces the household workloads. The results of present study thus indicate lower
coping potential augmented through limited access to amenities such as electricity.
7.1.5 Climatic Variability Domain
Climate variability is a transformative process that affects individuals and societies in
different ways (O’Brien et al. 2007). For the present study area, the climate variability
index was the highest for Bilaikani and the lowest for Sirabahal village (Table 7).
The higher vulnerability to environmental changes thus expose the community in the
study area in particular and in India in general to projected changes in annual mean
surface temperature increase (ranging from 2.5 to 5 °C) by the end of century (IPCC
2001). The highest index value for the percent of household who reported increase in
average temperature was for Bagbahali village (0.709). This is expected as extremes
in maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall were predicted to increase
along with several years ago (Sathaye et al. 2006). Nevertheless, variability in the
spatial patterns of the rainfall anomalies is seen all over India (Wang et al. 2001). This
effect was also evinced by the present study and maximum anomaly in average
rainfall was reported in case of Bilaikani village (0.764).
Subsequently, climate variability takes its toll by causing fluctuations in global
food production in the arid and semi-arid tropical countries of the developing world
(Sivakumar et al. 2005). This phenomenon is also observed by the respondents in
the study area who reported a decline or variation in agricultural productivity
brought about by changes in temperature and rainfall (index score value of 0.909).
In addition, people reported that the drought and climatic variations occur every
year and they had become part of their life (0.927).
7.1.6 Drought Domain
Between 2009 and 2014, Balangir district had faced drought for three years. The
sub domains related to drought revealed that the households are still extremely
Table 7 Index values for climatic variability domain and its sub domains in the study area
Sub domains/major domain
Sirabahal Bilaikani Aintalunga Bagbahali
Households who perceived a rise in average
temperature
0.455
0.673
0.527
0.709
Households who perceived variation in
average rainfall
0.509
0.764
0.582
0.673
Households reporting an effect on agriculture
due to variability in temperature and/or
rainfall
0.909
0.709
0.636
0.709
Households experiencing any stress due to
climate change
0.927
0.709
0.655
0.727
Climate variability
0.700
0.714
0.595
0.705
Analysing Vulnerability to Climate Change in India …
421
coping potential augmented through limited access to amenities such as electricity.
7.1.5 Climatic Variability Domain
Climate variability is a transformative process that affects individuals and societies in
different ways (O’Brien et al. 2007). For the present study area, the climate variability
index was the highest for Bilaikani and the lowest for Sirabahal village (Table 7).
The higher vulnerability to environmental changes thus expose the community in the
study area in particular and in India in general to projected changes in annual mean
surface temperature increase (ranging from 2.5 to 5 °C) by the end of century (IPCC
2001). The highest index value for the percent of household who reported increase in
average temperature was for Bagbahali village (0.709). This is expected as extremes
in maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall were predicted to increase
along with several years ago (Sathaye et al. 2006). Nevertheless, variability in the
spatial patterns of the rainfall anomalies is seen all over India (Wang et al. 2001). This
effect was also evinced by the present study and maximum anomaly in average
rainfall was reported in case of Bilaikani village (0.764).
Subsequently, climate variability takes its toll by causing fluctuations in global
food production in the arid and semi-arid tropical countries of the developing world
(Sivakumar et al. 2005). This phenomenon is also observed by the respondents in
the study area who reported a decline or variation in agricultural productivity
brought about by changes in temperature and rainfall (index score value of 0.909).
In addition, people reported that the drought and climatic variations occur every
year and they had become part of their life (0.927).
7.1.6 Drought Domain
Between 2009 and 2014, Balangir district had faced drought for three years. The
sub domains related to drought revealed that the households are still extremely
Table 7 Index values for climatic variability domain and its sub domains in the study area
Sub domains/major domain
Sirabahal Bilaikani Aintalunga Bagbahali
Households who perceived a rise in average
temperature
0.455
0.673
0.527
0.709
Households who perceived variation in
average rainfall
0.509
0.764
0.582
0.673
Households reporting an effect on agriculture
due to variability in temperature and/or
rainfall
0.909
0.709
0.636
0.709
Households experiencing any stress due to
climate change
0.927
0.709
0.655
0.727
Climate variability
0.700
0.714
0.595
0.705
Analysing Vulnerability to Climate Change in India …
421