Cyclone Disaster Management – Measures, Types, Initiative
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
Cyclone Disaster Management in India works to implement measures to prepare and mitigate the effects of an upcoming cyclone. India’s geographical location towards the north of the Indian Ocean makes it vulnerable to numerous tropical cyclones and raging storms. In fact, India’s long history of facing some of the worst cyclones, such as the Odisha Cyclone of 1999, the Nisarga, the Amphan, etc., makes it vital to have constant monitoring in the form of a deft cyclone disaster management team. The Natural Disaster Management Authority and IMD are generally responsible for Cyclone Disaster Management in India.
The Indian Government, before an upcoming cyclone, takes various measures as a part of their cyclone disaster management initiative in collaboration with the affected state governments. Their measures include the creation of cyclone sheltering, artificial hills to help civilians cope with the floods, mangrove plantations, flood management, installation of levees, and so on. The cyclone disaster management frames to be an essential part of the UPSC syllabus and the candidates must have an in-depth comprehension of the core topic.
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What is Cyclone Disaster Management?
Cyclone disaster management in India comprises mitigation measures for cyclones. It lays out a strategy that prepares the country for any disaster to cut off the losses. Disaster management undertakes numerous initiatives to mitigate the aftermath of cyclones in India. India is quite vulnerable to cyclones, and recently cyclone Jawad was also witnessed.
The nomenclature of cyclones to identify and spread awareness about it. The ultimate objective of cyclone disaster management in India is to minimize losses. Early warning signs are identified and accordingly, the management for saving the lives and livelihoods is pursued. Hence, it holds great importance for the country. They evacuate the highly vulnerable areas and the individuals are relocated and sheltered at another place during a tropical cyclone. This forms an essential topic of the UPSC syllabus and the candidates must gain complete details of the subject to be able to perform well.
Cyclone in India
The circulation of the winds through the low-pressure regions or zones is known as a cyclone. The anticyclones remark for the winds circulating through the areas that have higher pressure. There are numerous types of cyclones such as tropical cyclone, extratropical cyclones, polar cyclones, and mesocyclones.
The World Meteorological Department is responsible for the naming and nomenclature of cyclones. Between the months of April and November, cyclones are usually witnessed in India. The states known to be cyclone-prone are Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, and West Bengal. The devastating cyclones witnessed in India responsible for major upheaval are-
- Cyclone Burevi [2020]
- Cyclone Nivar [2020]
- Cyclone Nisarga [2020]
- Cyclone Amphan [2020]
- Cyclone Fani [2019]
- Odisha cyclone [1999]
- Bhola Cyclone [1970]
Measures for Cyclone Management
The strategic planning of the lands to avoid settlements in flood-prone areas can assist in minimizing the aftermath of the cyclones. Numerous such measures and initiatives can reduce the devastations caused by natural catastrophes such as floods and cyclones.
- The infrastructures should be engineered and crafted to tolerate cyclones and other catastrophes.
- Through the technique of hazard mapping the cyclone-prone areas can be estimated. It can also predict the areas where the probability of higher impact of cyclones can occur. It gauges the areas affected and other factors such as the wind speed of past years to present an estimation.
- Cyclone shelters can be instituted for safeguarding the local population. The area’s topography must also be kept in mind while planning the construction and establishment of cyclone shelters.
- Mangrove conservation can also lead to mitigating the occurrence of cyclones. The roots of the mangrove in mitigating the probability of the occurrence of floods and cyclones.
- Saline embankments also assist in safeguarding habitats and crops.
- Leeves are the structures that prevent and mitigate the chances of floods. It obstructs the wind and hence the cyclone as well.
- Mass awareness about the ways to adopt to safeguard themselves during a natural catastrophe plays an instrumental role in saving lives.
Types of Cyclones
Cyclones are a system of winds that rotate inwards to an area of low pressure. The system of winds that emerge from high-pressure areas is known as anti-cyclones. Cyclones can further be segregated into two categories –
- Tropical Cyclone: Storms originating from warm tropical seas or oceans are known as tropical cyclones. These types of cyclones are characterized by high winds, low atmospheric pressure, and relentless rainfall. India generally faces tropical cyclones.
- Temperate Cyclone: Storms originating outside the tropics are generally referred to as temperate cyclones. These cyclones, also known as extratropical and frontal cyclones, generally occur in temperate and polar regions. These types of cyclones do not usually occur in India.
Initiatives Undertaken by Cyclone Disaster Management in India
The central government has launched numerous cyclone disaster management initiatives to chart the expansiveness and mitigate the future effects of upcoming cyclones. Some of the most important initiatives are –
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
This project was mainly initiated to undertake various non-structural and structural measures to thwart the after-effects of cyclones in India. Mainly designed for the Union Territories and the coastal states of India, the project is aimed to protect the local communities from the aftermath of various hydro-meteorological calamities, including cyclones. The NCRM Project is being helmed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) while the World Bank is providing financial assistance.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project
In August 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released a draft of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for more deft coastal management. It aims at coming out with comprehensive plans to manage coastal areas.
Coastal Regulation Zones
The Coastal Regulation Zones notifications of 2018 and 2019 aim to bring forth sustainable development reforms in the coastal areas of India.
Color-Coding of Cyclones By IMD
The famous color-coding of natural calamities aims at making people aware of the intensity of calamities prior to the hazards. The colors used by IMD are green, yellow, orange, and red.
Importance of Cyclone Disaster Management in India
Cyclone disaster management in India carries an epitome of importance as it brings forth initiatives to save lives and livelihoods during a cyclone. The major objective is to protect vulnerable areas and mitigate losses. The plans have multiple aspects and are executed accordingly.
They spread awareness about the upcoming calamity so the individuals identify the early warnings and take apt measures to reduce the chances of calamity. It plays an eminent role in keeping the communities safe and sound. The management identifies the signals of the upcoming danger and lay forth their plans. They also plan the evacuation of individuals from highly prone areas.
Cyclone Disaster Management UPSC
Cyclone disaster management carves out to be an essential sector of the UPSC syllabus. The aspirants who have inclined for preparing for the IAS exam must not miss out to read this topic. A strong, methodical strategy for the exam can take the candidates toward performing exceptionally well in the exam.
Cyclone Disaster Management UPSC PDF
The previous year’s papers comprising the questions pertaining to these topics will provide insights into the questions that can be expected in the upcoming exam. The candidates can get a comprehensive ideation of the types of questions and the pattern of questions.
