Odisha's Disaster Risk Reduction: Coping with the Challenges of Cyclone Phailin
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Case Code: DISM003 Case Length: 16 Pages Period: 2013-2014 Pub Date: 2017 Teaching Note: Available |
Price: Rs.600 Organization: - Industry: - Countries: India Themes: Disaster Preparedness |
Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts
Excerpts
Super Cyclone of 1999
On October 29, 1999, a cyclone with catastrophic intensity hit Odisha. The cyclone described as Super Cyclone, lasting for 24 hours, was the worst in India’s meteorological history. The IMD issued a warning three days before the cyclone hit Odisha. Residents living within ten kilometers of the sea were instructed to evacuate their homes. Around 150,000 people were evacuated and moved to cyclone shelters constructed by the Indian Red Cross Society (Red Cross), a voluntary humanitarian organization...
Lessons Learned and Disaster Risk Reduction Measures Initiated
In the aftermath of the Super Cyclone, a joint United Nations assessment framework was developed. Assessment of loss caused to different sectors during the cyclone was carried out by United Nations Agencies. In November and December 1999, several United Nations missions visited Odisha to assess the impact of the Super Cyclone and the long-term rehabilitation needs in agriculture, livelihood, health, and education. Thematic workshops were organized to address issues at the relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction stages...
Preparing for Phailin
India in the past had a disastrous record in responding to natural disasters. However after facing the devastating Super Cyclone of 1999, the country had prepared itself in advance before Phailin made a landfall in Odisha. On October 8, 2013, IMD provided effective warnings that Cyclone Phailin would make a landfall on October 12, 2013, in the Ganjam district of Odisha and the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. This gave the state governments lead time to prepare ahead of the disaster. The IMD also issued warning to fishermen out at sea along Odisha, the north Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal coast to return to shore. It also issued warnings and alerts through channels such as online news networks....
The Disaster
On October 12, 2013, Phailin made a landfall across Ganjam district in Odisha as a Category 5 storm . The cyclone, which affected 13.2 million people, forced people to evacuate their homes, uprooted thousands of trees and damaged cell phone towers, telephone lines, and electric poles, resulting in a communication blackout in the state. Around 44 people were reportedly killed. In addition to this, the cyclone caused damage in hundreds of millions of dollars to houses, crops, schools, and the fishing industry...
The Aftermath
Though the state governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were prepared to deal with a cyclonic storm of such magnitude, the havoc caused by Phailin was huge and widespread. Television footage showed uprooted trees, debris, and electrical poles lying on the streets. In the worst affected Ganjam district around 234,000 houses were damaged. The cyclonic storm damaged the communication networks and disrupted power lines in Odisha. Fishermen also suffered huge losses as their boats and nets were destroyed...
Rescue, Relief, and Restoration Efforts
Expressing relief over the minimal casualty due to cyclone Phailin, Patnaik identified rehabilitation as the foremost challenge for his government. According to Patnaik, "I will see to it, how soon we can get people rehabilitated. I am sure, with your active support, this should also be possible smoothly. Thank you very much once again." A day after Phailin devastated Odisha and districts in neighboring states, the state government and Patnaik embarked on the gigantic task of restoring normalcy in the state and the affected villages...
The Response
Some disaster management experts pointed out that the Indian weather agencies were better equipped than earlier to make accurate predictions and this had helped the authorities, NGOs, and locals to take necessary precautions. The IMD continuously posted weather updates on its Facebook page. It predicted wind velocity accurately, contributing to an effective forecast and early warning communications. Some officials also posted useful information related to the cyclone with emergency helpline numbers...
Looking Ahead
Despite the state government of Odisha garnering huge appreciation for keeping human lives safe, disaster management experts pointed out that India could not afford the kind of huge damage caused to infrastructure by the cyclone. The rehabilitation challenge had to move forward to combat the major problems of housing and livelihood...
Exhibits
Exhibit I: NGO's Response during Super Cyclone of 1999
Exhibit II: A Brief Note on OSDMA
Exhibit III: A Brief Note on ODRAF
Exhibit IV: A Note on Disaster Management Policy and Community-Based Disaster Preparedness
Exhibit V: Revised Odisha Relief Code
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