With revisit time of cyclone for the Odisha coast in nearly two years, the State has turned out to be most frequently cyclone-affected in the country.
While India’s east coast is one of the most cyclone-prone areas of the world, Odisha is twice as vulnerable as compared to other eastern States and it has turned out to be a ‘disaster zone’.
During last decade, the State has faced one or other forms of disasters like cyclone, flood, tornado or drought every year.
From 1891 to 2000, the number of cyclones, severe cyclone and super cyclones that has crossed the Odisha coast is 98, which is highest among all the east-coast States.
Latest report of the State Government on vulnerability to cyclone reveals that while Odisha is only 17 per cent of the Indian east coast, it has been affected by nearly 35 per cent of all cyclones and severe cyclones that have crossed the east coast.
Cyclonic storms that have hit east coast and associated storm surges that have often inundated large tracts of coastal Odisha cause large scale damage to life and properties.
As per Report, during 1891-2000, while Odisha faced 98 cyclones, West Bengal faced 69, while Andhra Pradesh experienced 79. Kerala experienced three and Karnataka two only.
So, Odisha is facing more number of cyclones as compared to its neighbours like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
While Odisha had first impact of Super Cyclone way back on October, 1737, another Super Cyclone crossed Odisha coast at False Point on September 22, 1885 and took toll of 5,000 lives.
Odisha was impacted by another Super Cyclone on November 14-19, 1977, which crossed Andhra Pradesh near Nizampatnam and similarly another Super Cyclone impacted Odisha, which crossed Andhra Pradesh near Machlipatnam on May 4-11, 1990.
Odisha faced Super Cyclone on October 29-31, 1999, which crossed near Paradip on October 29, 1999 devastating the State, which resulted in killing of over 10,000 people.
The State faced first Very Severe Cyclones are on October 31, 1831, which crossed Odisha coast near Baleswar leading to loss of life of whopping 50,000.
On October 2-5, 1864 another Very Severe Cyclone crossed West Bengal near Contai with devastating impact on Odisha.
On November 1-2, 1864, another Very Severe Cyclone crossed Andhra Pradesh near Machlipatnam and had impact on Odisha.
On October 14-16, 1942, a Very Severe Cyclone crossed West Bengal near Contai and had impact over Odisha.
On October 8-11, 1967 a Very Severe Cyclone crossed the Odisha coast between Puri and Paradip.
On October 26-30, a Very Severe Cyclone crossed Odisha Coast near Paradip and the loss of life was to the extent of 10,000.
On October 12-14, 2013, Phailin crossed Odisha Coast near Gopalpur. On October 12-14, 2014 Hudhud crossed Andhra Pradesh at Visakhapatnam and impact was on South Odisha.
On October 10-12, 2018, Titli, another Very Severe Cyclone crossed near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh on and had serious impact on Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal. So also, it resulted in severe floods in nine districts.
And on May 13, Fani wrecked havoc, devastating Puri, Khurda and Bhubaneswar badly, affecting total 14 districts.
As per Wind and Cyclone Hard Zones Map of Odisha, out of 30 districts of the State, 14 districts are categorised as ‘High Damage Risk Zone’
