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Web Title cyclone fani intensifies into extremely severe cyclonic storm
चचचच चचचचच चचचचचच (Chunav News), चचचचचच चचचचच चचचचचच (Lok Sabha Chunav News)
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चचचचचच चचच चचचचचच चचचचचच चच चचचचच चचचचचच (Hindi News) चचचच चचचचचच चच
चचचच चच चचच चचचचचचच चचचच Hindi News App चच चचचच चच चचच चच चचचचचच
Turning from 'very severe' to 'severe', Cyclone Vardah has breached Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh.
Heavy rain and strong winds that lashed the city and other coastal areas of Tamil Nadu due to cyclone
Vardah. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: As Cyclone Vardah has made an appearance and made a landfall in Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, here are a list of previous cyclones that have struck India.
Cyclone Laila: In 2010, after a gap of two decades the south-eastern part of India was hit
by two 'severe' cyclones within a gap a few months; The first being Cyclone Laila which
entered along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Total deaths in Sri Lanka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu amounting to 65 and cost of damage reached a total of USD 117.49
million. Fishermen, who set out in about a 100 boats, were lost at sea, according to
fisheries department sources.
Cyclone Jal: Following Cyclone Laila, Cyclone Jal formed in the Pacific Ocean on 31st
October. Torrential rains poured in Thailand causing extensive flooding which led to the
demise of 59 people and similarly claimed four more lives in Malaysia. Subsequently, Jal
proceeded towards Andhra Pradesh where, through timely warnings. 70,000 people were
evacuated from villages where damage was expected to be the highest. On 9th November,
the C.M. of the state declared 54 people dead due to the storm. The Centre then promised
twenty kilograms of rice and five litres of kerosene to each family in flood-affected areas
with Rs. 2 lakhs also to be given as compensation to the families of the victims. The total
damage estimated by the Indian government was USD 53.55 million with Visakhapatnam
district suffering a damage of USD 18.53 million, Nellore district suffering a damage of
USD 22.59 million and Prakasam district suffering a damage of USD 12.43 million.
Cyclone Phailin: Originating and named in Vietnam, Cyclone Phailin was a cyclone of
matched magnitude to hit the peninsula in October 2013. The cyclone hit Andhra Pradesh
and resulted in the evacuation of 64,000 people from low-lying areas. A total of 134,426
people were eventually evacuated. Power and communication lines went down across the
district. With one casualty, the damage amounted to USD 8.1 million in Andhra Pradesh
alone. Other affected states like Odisha, Jharkhand and neighbouring states recorded
losses upto USD 688 million. Odisha recorded the casualties to be 44 people dying due to
storm related accidents.
Cyclone Hudhud: The last time a cyclone of Vardah's scale breached from the Bay of
Bengal was in October 2014 when Cyclone Hudhud originated from the Andaman Islands
and snowballed into a category IV cyclone, being dubbed as 'Extremely Severe.' It
proceeded to hit the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha. The estimated damages were approximated to a total of USD 3.4 billion. Death
toll due to the cyclone hit 124. Unlike most Bay of Bengal storms that dissipate quickly over
land, Hudhud has been the only tropical cyclone whose remnant ever reached as far north
as the Himalayas. The cyclone further proceeded up north to trigger an avalanche in Nepal.
Prime Minister Modi announced of October 15th that USD 136 million was to be awarded
as aid for affected areas in Andhra Pradesh.
Cyclone Nada: More recently, Cyclone Nada appeared to threaten the peninsula in late
November 2016. However, as the states geared up, the cyclone seemed to fizzle out with
its landfall in Tamil Nadu. Heavy winds were encountered, however. Schools were shut for
two days to acts as storm shelters for the citizens. Unfortunately, 12 deaths were still
recorded related to the storm.
Turning from 'very severe' to 'severe', Cyclone Vardah has breached Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh. With its landfall, the cyclone is currently at category 1 strength and is
expected to weaken with sustained winds of 80 to 90 kmph.
Schools have been closed and India's labour department has issued an advisory,
requesting companies to allow employees to work from their homes.
Fishermen too, have been advised to stay away from waters.
In addition, the agricultural sector has been hit severely with widespread destruction of
banana plantations, papaya groves and rice paddies.
A cumulonimbus cloud. A tropical cyclone has so many of these, they form huge,
circular bands.
Air from surrounding areas with higher air pressure pushes in to the low pressure
area. Then that "new" air becomes warm and moist and rises, too. As the warm air
continues to rise, the surrounding air swirls in to take its place. As the warmed,
moist air rises and cools off, the water in the air forms clouds. The whole system of
clouds and wind spins and grows, fed by the ocean's heat and water evaporating
from the surface.
The most air over the sea and ocean gets heated by sun rays and rises up creating a
low pressure region. This warm air get cool and starts condensing.
During condensation heat is released and air around it gets warm. This warm air
rises upwards creating a low pressure region.
This space is filled by cooler air. This cycle of events continue till a very low
pressure system with very high speed winds revolving around it is formed. This
forms cyclone.
Extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani made landfall close to Puri in Odisha on 3 May,
with maximum sustained wind speeds of 180-190 km/h. It tracked North-North
Eastwards and weakened as it moves towards West Bengal and then on to
Bangladesh, according to the Indian Meteorological Department. Accurate advance
forecasts and a huge, well-coordinated disaster risk reduction campaign were credited
with keeping the death toll to a minimum.
Some of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record have occurred in the Bay of Bengal.
Super Cyclonic Storm BOB06 caused more than 10,000 fatalities in October 1999.
Thanks Cyclone Fani hits Indian state of Odisha 3 May to improved forecasts and
warnings and better coordinated disaster management, there were a reported 45
fatalities from Cyclone Phailin – an equally intense cyclone which hit in 2013. Fani
was less intense at landfall than the 1999 cyclone or Phailin, but is still one of the
most intense storms to make landfall in Odisha for 20 years.
Initial reports indicated that the death toll in India was less than 50, even though the
storm hit an extremely densely populated area.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi credited the role played by technology
including satellite imagery and advanced weather forecasting techniques in
minimising loss of life. He said that the combination of technological capabilities and
human interface has enabled last mile connectivity with the affected.
After landfall, it weakened gradually and was forecast to enter into West Bengal as a
Severe Cyclonic Storm with the wind speed of 90- 100 km/h gusting to 115 km/h. It
is very likely to move further north-northeast wards and emerge into Bangladesh on
4 April as a cyclonic storm with a wind speed 60-70 Km/h.
The India Meteorological Department issued warnings for extremely heavy rainfall
for affected areas in Odisha, North Andra Pradesh and West Bengal and other states.
Sea conditions are “phenomenal” over the west-central Bay of Bengal and off north
Andhra Pradesh coasts. Fishermen were advised not to venture out.
A storm surge of about 1.5 meter height above astronomical tide was forecast to
inundate low lying areas of the some districts in Odisha at the time of landfall.
The Indian subcontinent has a history of earthquakes. The reason for the intensity and high frequency of
earthquakes is the Indian plate driving into Asia at a rate of approximately 47 mm/year.[1] The following is a list
of major earthquakes which have occurred in India, including those with epicentres outside India that caused
significant damage or casualties in the country.
Total
Date Location Mag. I Deaths Injuries damage /
notes
2017-
India, Bangladesh 5.7 Mw V 3 8
01-03
2015-
Afghanistan, India, Pakistan 7.7 Mw VII 399 2,536
10-26
2015-
Nepal, India 7.3 Mw VIII 218 3,500+
05-12
2015-
Nepal, India 7.8 Mw IX 8,964 21,952 $10 billion
04-25
2013-
Kashmir 5.7 Mw 3 90 $19.5 million NGDC
05-01
Traditional Secrets to Keep Away the
Unwanted Hair
Most women find excess body hair unpleasant and seek to get it removed. The most common
methods to remove them are waxing, shaving, laser hair removal, tweezing, and threading. But most
of them cause skin irritation and needs to be repeated every couple of weeks. And, laser treatments
can be expensive and must be performed by a dermatologist or trained professional. But there are a
few traditional ways which can help you tame the body hair and keep your ski n smooth without any
harsh chemicals and pain.
Raw Papaya
Papaya has an enzyme known as papain which is supposed to weaken the hair follicles thereby
preventing the hair growth. In a bowl take some freshly extracted raw papaya pulp and add a pinch of
turmeric to it. Apply wherever required and let it stay for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water and repeat
this process for 45 days to get the desired result.
Banana
If you have a dry skin, then banana is a great option. It exfoliates and removes unwanted hai r. You
can make a scrub with a combination of oatmeal to get the best results. In a bowl mix mashed
banana, honey, and coarsely grounded oatmeal. Scrub the area with this mixture for about 10
minutes. Leave it on for a while and then wash with cold water. Repeat this twice a week.
Soak lentils overnight and grind it to a smooth paste in the morning. With this add a tablespoon of
lemon juice and honey along with 5 tablespoons of potato juice. Apply the mixture and keep it on for
20 minutes in the desired area. Once it is completely dry wash with cold water. It not only helps with
the hair removed but the potato juice bleaches the hair making it less visible.
Sugar is the most common method used since the ancient times to remove excess body hair. To a
bowl take some raw sugar and add 1/2 a lemon to it. Mix it nicely and heat it in the flame for 10 to 20
seconds. Once the mixture is cooled take a spatula and apply it evenly on the hands/legs/ body
parts. Take a waxing strip, dab it, and pull it in the opposite direction. Although it is just like waxing
and hurts a bit, it is completely natural and suits all skin types.
Egg has a completely drying property. So, you can create your own sheet mask at home with egg
and corn flour. Add one egg to a bowl and mix 2 tablespoon corn flour. Apply the mixture on the
desired body part and allow it to dry. Then peel off like a mask and wipe the area with wet cloth.
Rinse it off with cold water. It can be used every day o n a normal skin until you get desired results.
The results from the traditional hair removal method can take time and patience. But, it is completely
worth it as it causes minimal to no pain, skin-friendly, minimal risk of allergies, and absolutely no
chemicals.
Being confident is a very essential quality for all human beings, irrespective of their
age or profession. Boosting up your confidence level will not only make you feel
good about yourself but will also help you to keep your feet firmly on the ground, no
matter what situation you have to encounter in your daily life. Self-confidence also
helps you to create a very good impression of yourself and gives you an edge over
others, especially when you are trying to seek a job or representing your company or
educational institute.
The following are eight proven ways to bolster your level of confidence:
1. Think positively. Positive thinking can help you see the better side of every situation
you confront. Thus, it can increase your confidence level.
2. Being prepared to face new challenges in life and accepting those challenges is
another crucial step for improving your level of confidence.
3. Volunteer for different causes and activities. You may consider volunteering for
social causes or you may also volunteer for different activities at your workplace or
institution. This is a very important step for boosting up your confidence.
4. Try to visualize your success. If you can see it before your eyes, you can achieve it
too. Imagining yourself as successful will automatically elevate your confidence
level.
5. Find out the true purpose of your life. This will add meaning to your life and thus,
can increase your confidence to a whole new level.
6. Connect with others more often. Staying alienated most of the time can bring down
your confidence level. The more you connect, the more confident you will become.
7. Never underestimate yourself and your abilities. Have a strong belief in who you are
and what you are capable of. This can make you more confident.
8. Try to stay fit and healthy. As we all know health is wealth. Being healthy and fit
always will make you feel good about yourself and will thus enhance your level of
confidence.
Along with the aforesaid tips, remember to smile always. A bright face will
automatically make you appear more confident to others.
In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get
answers to your questions!
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Everyone loves a thick luscious mane of hair, which is shown on television
commercials. To be able to flick around shiny healthy locks, you may have
tried the best shampoo brands, made frequent visits to the parlour and
consulted the doctors several times. However, did you know that the best
nutrition for your hair comes from the food you eat daily? Thinning hair,
reduction in hairline, excessive hairfall resulting in an undesirable physical
change, can be a major cause of frustration and low self esteem. Healthy and
hygienic lifestyle, sufficient sleep, adequate water intake and exercises along
with a balanced diet help to promote the growth of hair.
Important nutrients necessary to boost hair growth and volume:
1. Most of the hair is made of protein and therefore it is of utmost importance to
include proteins in the diet. Protein cells are building blocks for hair and strengthen
your locks.
2. Vitamin D leads to a healthy scalp and activates the growth of hair follicles.
3. Biotin (Vitamin B7) leads to the synthesis of an important hormone known as
Keratin which forms the fibrous part of hair.
4. Inadequate Folic acid in the diet can cause a reduction in cell division and lead to
premature greying of hair.
5. Vitamin A and C help to keep the scalp free of dandruff. They lead to the production
of sebum that nourishes the hair strands and prevents split ends. Split ends can lead
to the breakage of hair, eventually turning your precious mane into a rough, dull and
unmanageable one.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids improve blood circulation to the hair roots, promoting shine and
health of hair.
7. Iron and Zinc prevent breakage and damage of hair. They contribute to strengthening
of hair roots.
Some of the best food items recommended for maintaining healthy hair
Some of the best food items recommended for maintaining healthy hair:
1. Carrots, Whole grains, Legumes and Lentils, leafy green vegetables,
fruits:Carrots are rich sources of Vitamin A. Carrots have several advantageous
effects on the human body, mostly showing remarkable improvement in eyesight and
hair growth. Carrots can be eaten in a salad, boiled or lightly tossed in the pan in just
a few drops of oil and beneficial spices for added flavour. Carrots can also be made
into carrot juice and consumed on a regular basis. Vegetables, fruits and legumes are
rich sources of iron, zinc; vitamins that are essential for hair maintenance.
2. Lean Meat and Eggs: Eggs and lean meat are rich sources of protein. Egg whites do
a commendable job when it comes to promoting hair growth. Egg yolk and the egg
whites are known to remarkably condition the hair and benefit damaged hair when
mixed with a natural hair pack before shampooing it off. Egg protein is beneficial,
whether consumed or applied externally. It must be made a vital inclusion in your
diet.
3. Oatmeal: Known to have multiple benefits, it must make a way into your diet chart,
if you are looking forward to healthy skin, hair and the perfect body weight. Oatmeal
applied externally can condition and clean the hair, reducing itchiness of the scalp.
Oatmeal consumed in breakfast daily can help to control hormonal imbalance that
leads to excessive hair loss. It can also play an important role in controlling genetic
alopecia.
4. Walnuts and Almonds: The “W” of Walnut can also stand for Wonder nut. This nut
contains all the necessary vitamins that activate the hair follicles and increase the
volume of hair. It contains, iron, zinc, Vitamins B9, B6 and B1, healthy fats and
adequate protein. Almonds are as beneficial as Walnuts, containing all the basic
important nutrients needed for your hair. A handful of walnuts and almonds daily
will zealously guard your hair for a long, long time.
5. Green Tea and Dark Chocolates: Rich in anti-oxidants, green tea is beneficial both
when consumed internally and applied externally. The hair can be washed with green
tea to remove and prevent dandruff. Dark chocolates are also rich sources of anti-
oxidants. Now that’s a delectable way towards healthy and happy hair.
6. Fish: Salmon, Mackerel, Oysters are excellent sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
10 of the deadliest natural disasters in
2018
This Wednesday, July 25, 2018 aerial photo shows burnt houses and trees following a wildfire in
Mati, east of Athens. Frantic relatives searching for loved ones missing in Greece's deadliest
forest fire in decades headed to Athens' morgue on Thursday, July...
Deaths: 126
Fierce wildfires tore through a coastal area of Greece in late July. While most victims died in the
fire, some drowned in the sea as they attempted to flee the flames, according to news reports.
Deaths: 145
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea in
February, triggering a major aftershock and some landslides. Close to half a million people were
affected by the disaster, according to ReliefWeb.
Deaths: 151
Heavy rains at the end of August and in early September caused dangerous flooding and
landslides in North Korea, which destroyed more than 800 buildings, the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported.
Deaths: 180
Temperatures in the Pakistani city of Karachi stayed above 104 degrees Fahrenheit for several
days in May, according to news reports. The heat wave coincided with power cuts and Ramadan,
a month when many Muslims refrain from eating or drinking during the daytime. Most of those
who died were from poor areas, and included children and elderly people, the reports said.
6. Nigeria: Floods
Deaths: 200
September flooding in Nigeria displaced more than half a million people and, according
to FloodList, destroyed more than 13,000 homes. The floods struck one-third of Nigeria’s 36
states, affecting nearly 2 million people.
5. Japan: Floods
Deaths: 220
Torrential rain and landslides impacted large areas of Japan in July, killing more than 200 people.
Officials said the flooding was particularly bad because much of the rain fell in mountainous areas
and funneled down into cities, CNN reported. In Uwajima, a city on Japan’s Shikoku island, local
news stations reported that almost 15 inches of rain fell in two hours on one Sunday morning,
according to CNN’s report.
4. India: Floods
Deaths: 361
Monsoon flooding in India killed more than 300 people in August, mostly in the southern Indian
state of Kerala. The Kerala government said many victims died after being crushed by debris after
landslides, the BBC reported. Officials said it was the worst flood recorded in 100 years.
Deaths: 425
When Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted in early June, surrounding areas were soon engulfed in
a deadly pyroclastic flow, a mixture of hot gas and volcanic rock that can move at speeds up to 90
miles per hour, according to The New York Times. The ground was so hot in areas that the soles
of some rescue workers’ boots were coming apart.
2. Indonesia: Earthquake
Deaths: 468
On Aug. 5, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok and neighboring
Bali. The earthquake was preceded with a 6.4 magnitude quake in late July, and the areas also
were hit with a number of aftershocks.
Deaths: 2,783
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent 20-foot tsunami brought widespread devastation to
Sulawesi island in Indonesia in late September, leveling entire cities and rendering more than
330,000 people homeless, according to World Vision, a global humanitarian nonprofit.
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“The right team in the right place at the right time with the right knowledge,
right skills & the right logistics”
“The right patient to the right hospital by the right ambulance at the right time”
And some more that picture disaster management:
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without
disaster.” - Sun Tzu
“For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for
nature cannot be fooled.” - Richard Feynman
To achieve order in chaos, not chaos in order.
If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.
Be prepared, be aware, be ready
Expect the unexpected
Fires that are small will soon be tall
Safety isn’t a slogan. It’s a way of life
Fani, a rare summer cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, hit eastern India on May 3. It is one
of the strongest cyclones to have hit India in the last 20 years, according to the Indian
government’s meteorological department. Storm surges and powerful winds reaching 125mph blew off roofs,
damaged power lines and uprooted countless trees.
But the worst-affected state, Odisha, has been successful in keeping the loss of life
and numbers of affected people to a minimum. This is the result of a very effective
strategy of disaster preparation and quick responding.
The United Nations office for Disaster Risk Deduction (UNISDR) and other
organisations have hailed government and volunteer efforts that have ensured the
levels of destruction have been kept to a minimum. According to official estimates, 64
people lost their lives due to the devastating cyclone Fani. But considering the power
of the cyclone, it is remarkable that more lives have not been lost.
To put the death toll in perspective, the 1999 Odisha cyclone (which had 155mph
winds) killed 9,658 people and caused US$2.5 billion in damages in the state. It was
this super cyclone in 1999 that led the state to become better prepared for future
cyclones.
The government’s “zero casualty” policy for natural disasters and the near accuracy of
the India meteorological department’s early warning system have helped reduce the
possibility of deaths from cyclone Fani. A record 1.2m people (equal to the population
of Mauritius) were evacuated in less than 48 hours, and almost 7,000 kitchens,
catering to 9,000 shelters, were made functional overnight. This mammoth
exercise involved more than 45,000 volunteers.
The statistics are striking when compared to the impact of recent big weather events
around the world. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017 with wind speeds of
175mph, it caused a death toll of 2,975. The same year, Hurricane Harvey struck
Texas with winds of 130mph and caused devastating flooding. There was US$125
billion in damage and at least 68 direct storm-related deaths reported in Texas. Most
recently, cyclone Idai hit Mozambique on March 14 and ripped through Madagascar,
Malawi and Zimbabwe, with more than 1,000 people feared dead.
So the Indian state of Odisha’s ability to put such an effective disaster management
plan in place and save thousands of lives is a template that the world can learn from.
This, after all, is a state where the average income is less than US$5 a day. We
identify four key takeaways from Odisha.
1. Build a relief infrastructure
Until 1999, Odisha didn’t have a well laid out plan for disaster management. Two
months after the cyclone hit, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority was
set up and plans put in place. Around 900 cyclone shelters have been built in
vulnerable pockets of the state, with systems in place for the evacuation of hundreds
of thousands of people.
By 2001, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force was also set up to conduct rescue
operations and distribute relief.
There is a clear command and control structure for disaster relief and there are clear
protocols in place for carrying out relief operations. These were successfully used in
managing cyclone Phailin in 2013 (a storm five times the size of hurricane
Katrina), cyclone Hudhud in 2014 and cyclone Fani.
2. Accuracy of early warning systems
The India Meteorological Department has built an effective service to predict accurate
timings of cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal and when it will make landfall along
India’s coastline. This early warning system enables the state to be disaster ready
and minimise loss of lives. It’s then crucial that people follow the protocols in place
when the warnings come in.
3. Clear communication plan
Roughly 2.6m text messages were sent to locals in clear language before cyclone
Fani hit, keeping those potentially affected alert. Regular press briefings were made
by officials to update people of the approaching cyclone. People were repeatedly
advised over all forms of media not to panic and given clear “do and don’ts”. This
helped in the record evacuation of 1.2m people to safe buildings.
4. Effective co-ordination of groups
Preparations to fight the onslaught of Fani involved a number of government
agencies, as well as local community groups and volunteers working together. The
government’s disaster response forces were pre-positioned in vulnerable locations,
food packets for air-dropping were made ready for air force helicopters to drop to
people. Senior state officials and police officers were sent to the affected districts to
co-ordinate efforts of various agencies.
Cyclone Fani has, however, left a fury of damage to properties and public
infrastructure. The post-cyclone recovery will be a daunting challenge to the
administration in Odisha, demanding a lot of resources. In the aftermath of the 1999
super cyclone, the state relied on a number of community-based groups and
volunteers to help rebuild communities. The same goes for today, but they are in a
much better position thanks to the disaster preparedness and risk mitigation followed
before the storm hit.
Extensive safety measures have been taken by the Government with zero
casualty target.
Our correspondent reports that the Odisha government has moved more
than 11 lakh people to safety and advised the public to remain indoors.
After crossing Odisha, cyclone Fani is likely to move towards West Bengal. It
is also likely to impact parts of the northeast, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu.
The Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters
for relief and rescue operations. Army and Air Force units in the three States
have also been put on standby.
The Home Ministry's Control Room helpline number for Cyclone Fani 1938 is
operational to provide latest information. Odisha’s emergency helpline
number for Cyclone Fani is 06742534177.
Tropical cyclones often cause environmental changes far beyond the area where they
make landfall.
Erosion
A cyclone’s high winds can erode the soil, thereby damaging existing vegetation and
ecosystems. This erosion leaves the area exposed and prone to even more wind
erosion. Soil and sand that is blown into other areas can damage the vegetation there.
Erosion also can be caused by storm surges from tropical cyclones. Waves that reach
far onto a beach drag the sand back into the ocean, leaving the affected area highly
eroded. This can damage beach and dune ecosystems as well as structures. The sea
will eventually bring the sand back to the beach, but this can take years.
Fani, a rare summer cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, hit eastern India on May 3. It is one of the
strongest cyclones to have hit India in the last 20 years, according to the Indian government’s
meteorological department. Storm surges and powerful winds reaching 125mph blew off roofs, damaged power lines
and uprooted countless trees.
But the worst-affected state, Odisha, has been successful in keeping the loss of life and
numbers of affected people to a minimum. This is the result of a very effective strategy of
disaster preparation and quick responding.
The United Nations office for Disaster Risk Deduction (UNISDR) and other organisations
have hailed government and volunteer efforts that have ensured the levels of
destruction have been kept to a minimum. According to official estimates, 64 people lost their
lives due to the devastating cyclone Fani. But considering the power of the cyclone, it is
remarkable that more lives have not been lost.
To put the death toll in perspective, the 1999 Odisha cyclone (which had 155mph winds)
killed 9,658 people and caused US$2.5 billion in damages in the state. It was this super
cyclone in 1999 that led the state to become better prepared for future cyclones.
The government’s “zero casualty” policy for natural disasters and the near accuracy of the
India meteorological department’s early warning system have helped reduce the possibility of
deaths from cyclone Fani. A record 1.2m people (equal to the population of Mauritius) were
evacuated in less than 48 hours, and almost 7,000 kitchens, catering to 9,000 shelters, were
made functional overnight. This mammoth exercise involved more than 45,000 volunteers.
The statistics are striking when compared to the impact of recent big weather events around
the world. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017 with wind speeds of 175mph, it
caused a death toll of 2,975. The same year, Hurricane Harvey struck Texas with winds of
130mph and caused devastating flooding. There was US$125 billion in damage and at least
68 direct storm-related deaths reported in Texas. Most recently, cyclone Idai hit Mozambique
on March 14 and ripped through Madagascar, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with more than 1,000
people feared dead.
So the Indian state of Odisha’s ability to put such an effective disaster management plan in
place and save thousands of lives is a template that the world can learn from. This, after all,
is a state where the average income is less than US$5 a day. We identify four key takeaways
from Odisha.
Until 1999, Odisha didn’t have a well laid out plan for disaster management. Two months
after the cyclone hit, the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority was set up and plans
put in place. Around 900 cyclone shelters have been built in vulnerable pockets of the state,
with systems in place for the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
By 2001, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force was also set up to conduct rescue operations
and distribute relief.
There is a clear command and control structure for disaster relief and there are clear
protocols in place for carrying out relief operations. These were successfully used in
managing cyclone Phailin in 2013 (a storm five times the size of hurricane Katrina), cyclone
Hudhud in 2014 and cyclone Fani.
The India Meteorological Department has built an effective service to predict accurate
timings of cyclone formation in the Bay of Bengal and when it will make landfall along India’s
coastline. This early warning system enables the state to be disaster ready and minimise
loss of lives. It’s then crucial that people follow the protocols in place when the warnings
come in.
Roughly 2.6m text messages were sent to locals in clear language before cyclone Fani hit,
keeping those potentially affected alert. Regular press briefings were made by officials to
update people of the approaching cyclone. People were repeatedly advised over all forms of
media not to panic and given clear “do and don’ts”. This helped in the record evacuation of
1.2m people to safe buildings.
Cyclone Fani has, however, left a fury of damage to properties and public infrastructure. The
post-cyclone recovery will be a daunting challenge to the administration in Odisha,
demanding a lot of resources. In the aftermath of the 1999 super cyclone, the state relied on
a number of community-based groups and volunteers to help rebuild communities. The same
goes for today, but they are in a much better position thanks to the disaster preparedness
and risk mitigation followed before the storm hit.
The whole of Odisha’s seaside Balukhanda Wildlife Sanctuary near Puri has been
severely damaged by extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani, which made landfall in
Odisha on May 3, 2019. Around 60 lakh trees, mostly of casuarina and cashew, were
uprooted by the wind. The crowns of many tamarind, karanja, polanga, neem and other
trees were also severely damaged.
The sanctuary is home to a wide range of fauna, including 4,000 spotted deer or chital,
birds and other species such as jackals, hyenas, jungle cats and monitor lizards. It has
an area of 87 square kilometres and is located along the Bay of Bengal between Puri
and Konark
“We recovered the carcass of a spotted deer in the forest. Many of the deer fled from
their seaside abode to the nearby villages, away from the sea before Fani could make
landfall,” Harsabardhan Udgatta, divisional forest officer of Puri told Down To
Earth (DTE).
He added, “More than half of the spotted deer have already returned to the forest. To
locate other ungulates (hooved animals), we have decided to use drone cameras. The
belief that animals possess a sixth sense and know in advance if a storm is going to hit
has been proved by the behaviour of spotted deer in Balikhanda.”
Forest officials had also organised awareness camps before the cyclone for members of
eco-development committee from nearby villages and convinced them to take care of
the animals, added the forest officer.
The Talabani area, adjacent to the sanctuary boundary on the western side, is extremely
important for Puri as a sweet water zone and thus has to be preserved at any cost. The
land is also a source of more than 30 springs, which are renowned for their myriad
wildlife. They are home to more than 300 species of rare plants and animals, added
Udgatta.
“Fani has caused significant damage to livelihoods in Balukhanda. It looks bad at the
moment, the trees are down, there are no green leaves and it is a different world," said
Udgatta, who has been assessing the damage for the past week with other forest staff.
The cyclone has decimated habitats and wildlife is looking stressed. “Now, we hope to
develop a long-term plan that would help protect areas around the sanctuary from
future cyclones. We have forest staff on the ground and the clean-up work is well
underway," added the DFO.