Floods, while contributing to soil fertility and agricultural productivity in low-lying deltaic areas and floodplain regions, remain one of the most destructive natural hazards, posing significant risks to human life, property, the economy, and the environment. The annual occurrence of floods in the lower Dwarkeswar River Basin highlights the critical need for flood risk assessment to support effective risk reduction policies. This research employs the analytical hierarchy process within a geographic information system environment to evaluate flood risk, with a focus on Ghatal CD Block in West Medinipur, West Bengal. By integrating flood hazard elements and vulnerability indicators, a comprehensive risk map is developed, delineating high-risk zones such as Ghatal, Erpala, and Mansuka, as well as low-risk areas like Birsingha, Sultanpur, and Dewanchak. In the present study, the flood hazard map was validated using AUC curve, achieving an accuracy of 75%, incorporating data from primary surveyed flood locations (n = 42) within the study area. These ground truth points played a crucial role in assessing the hazard map’s precision. The study extends beyond mere hazard identification, recognizing the importance of vulnerability assessment in understanding the holistic risk landscape. The findings indicate that 36% of the study area falls within high to very high-risk zones emphasizing the necessity of targeted interventions and mitigation strategies. Ultimately, this research contributes to advancing flood risk assessment methodologies and reinforces the importance of informed decision-making in mitigating the multifaceted challenges posed by floods, thereby enhancing disaster resilience and preparedness.

The Indian Sundarbans, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a unique mangrove landscape that supports millions of livelihoods and plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is a vital ecosystem service provided by nature. The study area under investigation has been formed through the Ganges river sedimentation, and the area is also part of the Holocene delta. Carbon sequestration, being identified as a critical regulating service, plays a significant role in attenuating the impact of climate change. Considering this fact, the study assesses carbon sequestration in the Sundarbans Biosphere Region (SBR), India, using a non-GIS-based InVEST model to estimate carbon values for 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, and projects future values for 2030, 2040, and 2050 by integrating land use changes with the Markov model. Carbon sequestration potential varies significantly across landscapes, with the maximum observed in mangrove forests (2828.97 metric tonnes) and the minimum in water bodies. Social carbon cost value is also calculated following IPCC guidelines. Temporal changes show a shifting distribution of high carbon values in the Sundarbans mangrove region. Application of spatial autocorrelation with Moran’s, I and hotspot analysis show a clustering of carbon-sequestered zones around the core mangrove areas and human-influenced cold spots in surrounding zones. The findings underscore the Sundarbans' vital role in carbon absorption and the need for sustainable management practices to maximise this ecosystem service for future carbon sequestration.