Abstract:
Climate change has posed an increasing threat of extreme events. Evacuation is
considered an important process for safeguarding lives in an emergency. It is
essential to identify the factors associated with evacuation decision-making.
Socioeconomic conditions and risk perceptions can directly or indirectly influence
the evacuation decision. This research explores the evacuation dynamics in flood-
prone rural areas along the Indus River. Risk perception is quantified using well-
established indicators. Yamane sampling method was used, and 500 samples were
collected using household questionnaires from high flood risk and past affected
rural areas along the river. Pearson’s correlation technique was used to identify the
relationship between flood risk perception indicators and the likelihood of
evacuation. A binary logistic regression test was developed to identify
socioeconomic factors influencing evacuation. Results show that people who
stayed near the rivers had a lower risk perception. However, fear was high among
all respondents. Age and hazard proximity was found to be influencing the
willingness to evacuate. The results imply an urgent need to launch awareness
campaigns in settlements near the river.
