Asian Journal of Geographical Research

Kerala, India, experiences recurring floods, landslides, droughts, and other hazards that are increasingly shaped by climate change, making disaster awareness and preparedness among young people a priority. This study mapped disaster risk perception among college students across Kerala using a structured, multi-dimensional scale and spatial analysis. Primary data were collected through an e-survey of 420 randomly selected students (30 per district) from 14 districts. The questionnaire measured disaster awareness and knowledge, lived disaster experience, perceived health/education/financial impacts, responsibility attribution, preparedness behaviour, beliefs about preventability, confidence in recovery and reconstruction, and perceived post-disaster needs.Findings show near-universal awareness of disasters and strong recognition of key institutions (KSDMA/NDMA), alongside notable gaps in formal disaster education and only moderate knowledge of local disaster-prone areas. Students strongly associated disasters with chronic health risks and prolonged disruption to education, while perceptions of household financial losses were divided. Responsibility was mainly attributed to governments and individuals; however, trust in businesses/industries and access to NGO guidance were low, and participation in environmental or preventive activities remained limited—revealing an intention–action gap in preparedness. Many students viewed disasters as largely unavoidable, yet expressed relatively high confidence in post-disaster facilities and reconstruction, prioritizing safety and security over preventive measures. Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation identified seven latent dimensions shaping disaster risk management perspectives, capturing contrasts between awareness and complacency, trust and scepticism, and prevention optimism versus inevitability. A district-level composite index revealed marked spatial disparities, with Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Wayanad showing stronger overall risk perception/preparedness, while Ernakulam, Kannur, and especially Kasaragod lagged. The study recommends integrating disaster risk reduction into higher education curricula, strengthening experiential learning (drills, simulations, service-learning), expanding NGO–campus partnerships, improving place-based hazard literacy, and using technology for localized early warnings—tailored to district-specific gaps—to build a resilient student community in Kerala.