Essay on Cyclone Phailin in India

Phailin Cyclonic Storm in India

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Cyclone Phailin is considered as one of the most severe Cyclone that India has witnessed in recent times.

This article contains information on Phailin Cyclone in India. It was last updated on October 23, 2013.

Introduction

A very severe tropical Cyclone, Phailin, made a landfall on 12th October, 2013 along the coastal region of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at wind-speed of 200 kmph. The Cyclone was followed by heavy rainfall and flood.

The weather department had given warning and alert signal in advance and the Indian authorities managed to evacuate nearly one million people to save place before the landfall of Phailin Cyclone. These preparations kept the death toll at minimum.

The cyclone was very destructive and caused severe damage to property, school, power, trees, agricultural crops, etc. The estimated value of the loss is over Rs. 40,000 million. (October 20, 2013)

Atleast 44 people have been reported to be dead. (October 20, 2013)

The Government has ensured proper and swift rehabilitation of the cyclone affected people.

A Very Severe Tropical Cyclone

The cyclone that had hit on 12th Oct. 2013 had weakened into a cyclonic storm and went into deep depression by the mid-night of 13th  and 14th October, 2013.

The cyclone had almost filled up the most of Bay of Bengal and its size is estimated to be almost half the size of entire land size of India.

The region between Paradip and Kalingapatnam were more prone to danger.

The Cyclone had then moved towards Jharkhand and North Chhattisgarh and gone into depression. It had weakened further and marked low pressure at around 2:30 pm on 14th October,2013.

India was well Prepared

Indian Authorities were well prepared ahead of the arrival of the deadly storms of Phailin Cyclone and avoided major casualty. In 1999, there was a cyclone along the same region which had taken 10,000 lives.

Indian authorities have been praised for taking swift action and evacuating more than 9 lakh people to safer place even before the deadly storms of Cyclone Phailin made the landfall.

The Government of India had assured that they will do everything possible to tackle the situation. The NDRF forces were deployed and naval forces were ready to meet an emergency situation.

The Press, News channels and radio play role in saving lives. Announcements over radio asking the people to evacuate the danger prone zone helped to save many lives.

Largest Evacuations

Relief forces had been properly deployed and the Indian authorities were confident to face the storm. Thousands of relief shelters had been arranged and more than 9 lakh people were evacuated before the arrival of the cruel storm. This is one of the largest evacuations ever done in India.

Several trains had been cancelled while route of many others were diverted.

Thousands of people had gathered in Temples, Mosques, Churches and other religious places praying to God.

High Alert Issued in advance

Weather Forecast Department had issued high alert in advance. The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were expected to be worst hit. The Indian Meteorological department kept a close eye on the Cyclone after its arrival and gave timely update.

The India Meteorological Department had issued high alert for heavy rainfall in the regions of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Sikkim, Jharkhand, East Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Fishermen along the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal had been warned and were asked for complete suspension of fishing activities.

Damage caused by Cyclone Phailin

There was severe damages of mud houses and minor damage to telecommunication & power lines. There was complete power failure in certain regions. Trees were uprooted and lamp-posts fall on the road. Further, there was heavy rainfall and flood which triggered panic. The estimated value of loss of agriculture is about Rs. 2400 crores. Further, thousands of mud houses have been severely damaged.

The total figure of death due to Cyclone Phailin is atleast 44.

Power supply had been disrupted in some of the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. There was heavy rainfall along the Ganjam district of Orissa.

Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh was one of the worst affected by the Cyclone Phailin. There is severe damage of property, communication lines, and complete power failure.

Severe damage of property

The weather department had suggested severe risk of damage of property, lives, railways network, communication lines and power failure. The main focus of the Relief team is to save the human lives.

Severe wind started blowing along the coastal regions and lampposts and trees had started uprooting even before the arrival of the deadly storm.

Ex-gratia

The Government of India has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to the relative of death victim. The seriously injured victims would get Rs. 50,000 each.

Power Situation under control

The Power ministry acted promptly and in spite of the disturbance caused due to the strong wind of Cyclone, the Power situation was brought under control.

Orissa

The Chief Minister of Odisha, Navin Patnaik, had urged the residents of his state not to panic and requested them to assist the government officials. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were working together and are in full action.

The Government of Orissa has cancelled the Dusshera holiday and asked the officials to ensure safety of the people of the state. The government has made proper arrangement for food packets.

Odisha escaped massive destruction manily because more than 4.5 lakh people were evacuated and moved to safer places before the landfall. The Focus of the Orissan Government is now on active rehabilitation of these people back to normal life. The forces have started the relief operation.

The Government of Odisha has aksed for Central Assistance of more than Rs. 1500 crore for swift rehabilitation of lakhs of people.

Andhra Pradesh

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh met with the officials of Indian Army and Navy seeking their help and to discuss the course of action for relief measures. The Chief Minister had asked the government officials in the Northern Coast of Andhra Pradesh to remain on high alert during the night of 12-13 October, 2013.

Similarly, Andhra Pradesh also won over Phailin. More than 1.25 lakh people were already moved to safer place to avoid loss of lives. The NDRF forces have also been deployed in Andhra Pradesh for relief work. The Srikakulam district had suffered power failure after landfall.

Power supply was soon restored in almost all districts of Andhra Pradesh, including Srikakulam. However, power supply could not be restored in some villages due to excessive flood. The authorities have assured of quick action.

Let’s hope and pray to God for the safety and active rehabilitation of people of India affected by Cyclone Phailin.