Seychelles Damage, Loss, and Needs Assessment (DaLA ... - GFDRR

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CHAPTER 1: Country Overview
1.1 Seychelles’ Vulnerability to Natural Hazards and Climate
Change
The Seychelles archipelago comprises 115 islands extending over approximately 1,374
square kilometers (including its exclusive economic zone [EEZ]) in the Indian Ocean
between 4 and 9 degrees south of the equator and about 1500 km east of mainland
Africa. Over 85% of the country’s population (87,400) resides on Mahé, the largest
island in the country (148 sq. km), with most of the remaining population residing on
the islands of Praslin and La Digue, both of which lie less than 45 km from Mahé. The
topography of Mahé consists of a central mountainous ridge with steep slopes on both
sides running down to a narrow coastal plateau. On Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, most
development, including tourism, transport, and housing, is located in the plateau area.
The islands are generally low-lying with an average of 2–6 m above sea level.
The Seychelles’ location, topography, and landscape make the country vulnerable to a
range of natural hazards, including tropical cyclones, tsunamis, storm surge, extreme
rainfall, flooding, landslides, rockslides, and forest fires—most of which are likely to
be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The country is tectonically inactive,
so earthquake is not seen as a risk. No seismic activity has been recorded since the installation
of the country’s seismological station in 1995. The adverse effects of climate
change and sea-level rise present significant risks to the sustainable development of
the Seychelles. Vulnerability characteristics such as the concentration of development
on the narrow coastal zones, vulnerable populations, and ecosystems make the Seychelles
extremely sensitive to climate change and its associated impacts. The impact
of climate change as a result of sea-level rise, storm and tidal surges, and changes in
rainfall patterns as well as increased coral bleaching events are likely to have serious
consequences to livelihoods in the long term. The effects of climate change on tourism
are expected to be largely negative. Adaptation to adverse impacts of climate
change and sea-level rise remains a major priority for the Seychelles.
The main issues relating to climate change are the following:
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More extreme weather events. Although the Seychelles has been relatively protected
from tropical cyclones due to its location, some trends indicate the possibility that
the cyclone belt and risk area is widening in the Indian Ocean, potentially putting
the Seychelles’ region in a more favorable position for cyclonic development. Data
also shows that for the majority of the El Niño/La Niña cases, an extreme weather
event occurred over the Seychelles. With global warming, El Niño may collude with
the Indian Ocean Dipole and other phenomena to cause extreme impacts.
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Sea-level rise. Major economic activities, development, and infrastructure located
along the coastal plains and reclaimed land makes the Seychelles highly vulnerable
to sea-level rise; this will have serious consequences to livelihoods as a result of
coastal erosion and flooding.