INTRODUCTION

In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same
direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate anti-
clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphereof the
Earth. Most large-scale cyclonic circulations are centered on areas of low atmospheric
pressure. The largest low-pressure systems are cold-core polar cyclones and extratropical
cyclones which lie on the synoptic scale. According to the NHC glossary, warm-core
cyclones such as tropical cyclones and subtropical cyclones also lie within the synoptic
scale. Mesocyclones, tornadoes and dust devils lie within the smaller mesoscale. Upper level
cyclones can exist without the presence of a surface low, and can pinch off from the base of
the Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough during the summer months in the Northern
Hemisphere. Cyclones have also been seen on extraterrestrial planets, such
as Mars and Neptune. Cyclogenesis describes the process of cyclone formation and
intensification. Extratropical cyclones form as waves in large regions of enhanced mid-
latitude temperature contrasts called baroclinic zones. These zones contract to form weather
fronts as the cyclonic circulation closes and intensifies. Later in their life cycle,
cyclones occlude as cold core systems. A cyclone's track is guided over the course of its 2 to
6 day life cycle by the steering flow of the cancer or subtropical jet stream.

Weather fronts separate two masses of air of different densities and are associated with the
most prominent meteorological phenomena. Air masses separated by a front may differ
in temperature or humidity. Strong cold fronts typically feature narrow bands
of thunderstormsand severe weather, and may on occasion be preceded by squall lines or dry
lines. They form west of the circulation center and generally move from west to east. Warm
fronts form east of the cyclone center and are usually preceded
by stratiform precipitation and fog. They move poleward ahead of the cyclone path. Occluded
fronts form late in the cyclone life cycle near the center of the cyclone and often wrap around
the storm center.



Tropical cyclogenesis describes the process of development of tropical cyclones. Tropical
cyclones form due to latent heat driven by significant thunderstorm activity, and are warm
core. Cyclones can transition between extratropical, subtropical, and tropical phases under the
right conditions. Mesocyclones form as warm core cyclones over land, and can lead
to tornadoformation. Waterspouts can also form from mesocyclones, but more often develop
from environments of high instability and low vertical wind shear. In the Atlantic basin, a
tropical cyclone is generally referred to as a hurricane (from the name of the ancient Central
American deity of wind, Huracan), a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, and
a typhoon in the Northwest Pacific region.


















STRUCTURE & FORMATION
There are a number of structural characteristics common to all cyclones. A cyclone is a low
pressure area. A cyclone's center (often known in a mature tropical cyclone as the eye), is the
area of lowest atmospheric pressure in the region. Near the center, the pressure gradient
force (from the pressure in the center of the cyclone compared to the pressure outside the
cyclone) and theforce from the Coriolis effect must be in an approximate balance, or the
cyclone would collapse on itself as a result of the difference in pressure.
Because of the Coriolis effect, the wind flow around a large cyclone is counterclockwise in
the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Cyclonic circulation is
sometimes referred to as contra solem. In the Northern Hemisphere, the fastest winds relative
to the surface of the Earth therefore occur on the eastern side of a northward-moving cyclone
and on the northern side of a westward-moving one; the opposite occurs in the Southern
Hemisphere. (The wind flow around an anticyclone, on the other hand, is clockwise in the
northern hemisphere, and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.)


Formation

The initial extratropical low pressure area forms at the location of the red dot on the image. It
is usually perpendicular (at a right angle to) the leaf-like cloud formation seen on satellite
during the early stage of cyclogenesis.




The location of the axis of the upper level jet stream is in light blue.

Tropical cyclones form when the energy released by the condensation of moisture in rising
air causes a positive feedback loop over warm ocean waters.


Cyclogenesis is the development or strengthening of cyclonic circulation in the atmosphere
(a low pressure area). Cyclogenesis is an umbrella term for several different processes, all of
which result in the development of some sort of cyclone. It can occur at various scales, from
the microscale to the synoptic scale.

Extratropical cyclones form as waves along weather fronts before occluding later in their
life cycle as cold core cyclones.
Tropical cyclones form due to latent heat driven by significant thunderstorm activity, and are
warm core.

Mesocyclones form as warm core cyclones over land, and can lead to tornado
formation. Waterspouts can also form from mesocyclones, but more often develop from
environments of high instability and low vertical wind shear. Cyclogenesis is the opposite of
cyclolysis, and has an anticyclonic (high pressure system) equivalent which deals with the
formation of high pressure areasAnticyclogenesis.






The surface low has a variety of ways of forming. Topography can force a surface low when
dense low-level high pressure system ridges in east of a north-south mountain
barrier. Mesoscale convective systems can spawn surface lows which are initially warm
core. The disturbance can grow into a wave-like formation along the front and the low will be
positioned at the crest. Around the low, flow will become cyclonic, by definition. This
rotational flow will push polar air equatorward west of the low via its trailing cold front, and
warmer air with push poleward low via the warm front. Usually the cold front will move at a
quicker pace than the warm front and catch up with it due to the slow erosion of higher
density airmass located out ahead of the cyclone and the higher density airmass sweeping in
behind the cyclone, usually resulting in a narrowing warm sector. At this point an occluded
front forms where the warm air mass is pushed upwards into a trough of warm air aloft,
which is also known as atrowal.

Tropical cyclogenesis is the technical term describing the development and strengthening of
a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis
occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs.
Tropical cyclogenesis involves the development of a warm-core cyclone, due to
significant convection in a favorable atmospheric environment. There are six main
requirements for tropical cyclogenesis: sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures,
atmospheric instability, high humidity in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere,
enough Coriolis force to develop a low pressure center, a preexisting low level focus or
disturbance, and low vertical wind shear. An average of 86 tropical cyclones of tropical storm
intensity form annually worldwide, with 47 reaching hurricane/typhoon strength, and 20
becoming intense tropical cyclones (at least Category 3 intensity on the SaffirSimpson
Hurricane Scale).





Synoptic scale


A fictitious synoptic chart of an extratropical cyclone affecting the UK and Ireland. The blue
arrows between isobars indicate the direction of the wind, while the "L" symbol denotes the
centre of the "low". Note the occluded, cold and warmfrontal boundaries.


















TYPES
Surface-based types
There are three main types surface-based cyclones: Extratropical cyclones, Subtropical
cyclones and Tropical cyclones
A) Extratropical cyclone
B) Subtropical cyclone
C) Tropical cyclone.

A) EXTRATROPICAL CYCLONE
An extratropical cyclone is a synoptic scale low pressure weather system that does not
have tropical characteristics, being connected with fronts and horizontal gradients in
temperature and dew point otherwise known as Baroclinic zones.
The descriptor "extratropical" refers to the fact that this type of cyclone generally occurs
outside of the tropics, in the middle latitudes of the planet. These systems may also be
described as "mid-latitude cyclones" due to their area of formation, or "post-tropical
cyclones" where extratropical transition has occurred, and are often described as
"depressions" or "lows" by weather forecasters and the general public. These are the
everyday phenomena which along with anti-cyclones, drive the weather over much of the
Earth.

Although extratropical cyclones are almost always classified as baroclinic since they form
along zones of temperature and dewpoint gradient within the westerlies, they can sometimes
become barotropic late in their life cycle when the temperature distribution around the
cyclone becomes fairly uniform with radius. An extratropical cyclone can transform into a
subtropical storm, and from there into a tropical cyclone, if it dwells over warm waters and
develops central convection, which warms its core. One intense type of extratropical cyclone
that strikes during wintertime is a NorEaster.



Polar low


Polar low over the Barents Sea on February 27, 1987
A polar low is a small-scale, short-lived atmospheric low pressure system (depression) that is
found over the ocean areas poleward of the main polar front in both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres. Polar lows are cold-core so they can be considered as a subset of
extratropical cyclones. Polar lows were first identified on the meteorological satellite imagery
that became available in the 1960s, which revealed many small-scale cloud vortices at high
latitudes. The most active polar lows are found over certain ice-free maritime areas in or near
the Arctic during the winter, such as the Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, Labrador Sea and Gulf
of Alaska. Polar lows dissipate rapidly when they make landfall. Antarctic systems tend to be
weaker than their northern counterparts since the air-sea temperature differences around the
continent are generally smaller. However, vigorous polar lows can be found over the
Southern Ocean. During winter, when cold-core lows with temperatures in the mid-levels of
the troposphere reach 45 C (49 F) move over open waters, deep convection forms which
allows polar low development to become possible. The systems usually have a horizontal
length scale of less than 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) and exist for no more than a couple of
days. They are part of the larger class of mesoscale weather systems. Polar lows can be
difficult to detect using conventional weather reports and are a hazard to high-latitude
operations, such as shipping and gas and oil platforms. Polar lows have been referred to by
many other terms, such as polar mesoscale vortex, Arctic hurricane, Arctic low, and cold air
depression. Today the term is usually reserved for the more vigorous systems that have near-
surface winds of at least 17 m/s.

B) SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE
Subtropical


Subtropical Storm Andrea in 2007.
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical
cyclone and some characteristics of an extratropical cyclone. They can form between the
equator and the 50th parallel. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether
they should be characterized as tropical cyclones or extratropical cyclones, and used terms
such as quasi-tropical and semi-tropical to describe the cyclone hybrids. By 1972,
the National Hurricane Center officially recognized this cyclone category. Subtropical
cyclones began to receive names off the official tropical cyclone list in the Atlantic Basin in
2002. They have broad wind patterns with maximum sustained winds located farther from the
center than typical tropical cyclones, and exist in areas of weak to moderate temperature
gradient.
Since they form from initially extratropical cyclones which have colder temperatures aloft
than normally found in the tropics, the sea surface temperatures required for their formation
are lower than the tropical cyclone threshold by three degrees Celsius, or five degrees
Fahrenheit, lying around 23 degrees Celsius. This means that subtropical cyclones are more
likely to form outside the traditional bounds of the hurricane season. Although subtropical
storms rarely have hurricane-force winds, they may become tropical in nature as their cores
warm.
C) TROPICAL CYCLONE
Tropical


2013 Atlantic hurricane season summary map
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low pressure center and
numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and flooding rain. A tropical cyclone
feeds on heat released when moist air rises, resulting in condensation of water
vapour contained in the moist air. They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other
cyclonic windstorms such as nor'easters, European windstorms, and polar lows, leading to
their classification as "warm core" storm systems.


Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International
Space Station on March 26, 2004
The term "tropical" refers to both the geographic origin of these systems, which form almost
exclusively in tropical regions of the globe, and their formation in Maritime Tropical air
masses. The term "cyclone" refers to such storms' cyclonic nature,
with counterclockwise rotation in theNorthern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in
the Southern Hemisphere. Depending on their location and strength, tropical cyclones are
referred to by other names, such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm,
tropical depression, or simply as a cyclone.
While tropical cyclones can produce extremely powerful winds and torrential rain, they are
also able to produce high waves and damaging storm surge. They develop over large bodies
of warm water, and lose their strength if they move over land. This is the reason coastal
regions can receive significant damage from a tropical cyclone, while inland regions are
relatively safe from receiving strong winds. Heavy rains, however, can produce significant
flooding inland, and storm surges can produce extensive coastal flooding up to 40 kilometres
(25 mi) from the coastline. Although their effects on human populations can be devastating,
tropical cyclones can also relieve drought conditions. They also carry heat and energy away
from the tropics and transport it toward temperate latitudes, which makes them an important
part of the global atmospheric circulation mechanism. As a result, tropical cyclones help to
maintain equilibrium in the Earth's troposphere.
Many tropical cyclones develop when the atmospheric conditions around a weak disturbance
in the atmosphere are favourable. Others form when other types of cyclones acquire tropical
characteristics. Tropical systems are then moved by steering winds in the troposphere; if the
conditions remain favourable, the tropical disturbance intensifies, and can even develop
an eye. On the other end of the spectrum, if the conditions around the system deteriorate or
the tropical cyclone makes landfall, the system weakens and eventually dissipates. A tropical
cyclone can become extra tropical as it moves toward higher latitudes if its energy source
changes from heat released by condensation to differences in temperature between air
masses; From an operational standpoint, a tropical cyclone is usually not considered to
become subtropical during its extratropical transition.











OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

To understand the psychology of government to prevent disaster.
To understand various techniques drafted by government to eradicate disaster.
To understand and help people and to educate themselves regarding disaster.
To understand and to create awareness in mass regarding disaster.
To understand various research methods and management of disaster.



















RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

(SECONDARY DATA)

CASE STUDY
THE HINDU: Nov 5, 2013

Cyclone Phailin causes blackbuck migration in
Ganjam
Before the cyclone large blackbuck herds were seen close to human habitations
including Bhetanai, Bajraput, Siddhanai, Banabali
The Phailin Cyclone and the continuous rains that followed have led to migration of
blackbuck from their normal regions of habitation in Ganjam district.
According to forest officials the good news is that the devastating cyclone and the floods
have not led to any major casualty of these endangered deer species. Till now no deaths of
blackbuck have been reported from any part of Ganjam district.
Unique behaviour
Speaking to The Hindu, Narayan Chandra Dora, the forest ranger of Aska forest range where
a large number of blackbuck live, said the natural habitat of these animals must have saved
them from the fury of nature.
The blackbuck shows unique behaviour during rains. When it rains, they prefer to remain in
open spaces to enjoy the raindrops rather than entering the dense forests like other animals.
During the Phailin Cyclone also these animals were found to be in the open spaces near
human habitatatiion. So, the devastation inside the forests due to the cyclone did not harm
them in big way. But the cyclone surely did get them panicked, because of which a large
number of them seem to have migrated to some places other than their normal dwelling
places.
Before the cyclone large blackbuck herds were being seen close to human habitations like
Bhetanai, Bajraput, Siddhanai, Banabali etc. But after the cyclone these blackbuck are not
being seen in these areas. As per forest officials a few blackbuck are still in these areas but
most of these exotic deer seem to have migrated to some other place. We hope they would
return to these places again as for generations blackbuck and humans had a very close
relationship in these areas, and due to traditional belief localities used to protect them, said
Mr. Dora.
Migration of blackbuck is not new to this area. Earlier blackbuck used to migrate from Aska
and Buguda forest range areas in search of food when their number increased many folds.
Blackbuck herds were seen to have migrated to areas near Khallikote and Bhanjanagar last
year. So, forest officials are sure that panicked by the cyclone, blackbuck herds must have
migrated to some other places inside jungles and they would be located soon.
It may be noted that as per an assessment around 2,800 blackbuck inhabit Aska nd Buguda
forest range areas. As per last blackbuck census done in 2010-11, their population was 2181
including 1414 females and 223 young ones. Since generations locals protected these
blackbuck due to traditional religious belief. Villagers in this region consider the animal as
harbinger of rain. Villagers do not harm them and the blackbucks roam around freely even
near the human habitations.










CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

CYCLONES AND THEIR IMPACTS IN INDIA:
1. Introduction:
India is highly vulnerable to natural hazards especially earthquakes, floods, drought,
cyclones and landslides. Studies indicate that natural disaster losses equate to up to
2% of Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and up to 12% of Central government
revenue. The cyclones that occur between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are
known as Tropical Cyclones. Tropical cyclones are weather systems in which winds
equal or exceed gale force (minimum of 34 knot, i.e., 62 kmph).
Indian sub-continent is the worst affected region of the world, having a coast line of
7516 kms. (5400 kms along the mainland, 132 kms in Lakshadweep and 1900 kms in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands) is exposed to nearly 10% of the worlds Tropical
Cyclones. There are 13 coastal states/UTs encompassing 84 coastal districts which
are affected by cyclones (Fig. 1). Four States (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu
and West Bengal) and one UT (Pondicherry) on the East Coast and One State
(Gujarat) on the West Coast are more vulnerable to cyclone disasters. 40% of the total
population lives within 100 km of coastline. Analysed data for the period 1980-2000
shows that on an average, annually 370 million people are exposed to cyclones in
India. Cyclones occur in the month of May-June and October-November, with
primary peak in November and secondary peak in May.
Although cyclones affect the entire coast of India the East Coast is more prone compared to
the West Coast. An analysis of the frequencies of cyclones on the East and West coasts of
India during 1891-2000 show that nearly 308 cyclones (out of which 103 were severe)
affected the East Coast. During the same period 48 tropical cyclones crossed the West Coast,
of which 24 were severe cyclonic storms. Out of the cyclones that develop in the Bay of
Bengal, over 58 percent approach and cross the East Coast in October and November. Only
25 % of the cyclones that develop over the Arabian Sea approach the West Coast. In the pre-
monsoon season, corresponding figures are 25 percent over Arabian sea and 30 percent over
Bay of Bengal.
Recurring cyclones account for large number of deaths, loss of livelihood opportunities, loss
of public and private property and severe damage to infrastructure, thus seriously reversing
the developmental gains at regular intervals. Broad scale assessment of population at risk
suggests that an estimated 32 crore people, which accounts for almost third of the countrys
total population, are vulnerable to cyclone related hazards. Climate change and its resultant
sea-level rises can significantly increase the vulnerability of coastal population.

2. Classification of Tropical Cyclones:

The criteria followed by Meteorological Department of India (IMD) to classify the
low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea as adopted by
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) are as under:
Type of Disturbances Associated Wind Speed in the
Circulation
Low pressure Area Less than17 knots (<31 kmph)
Depression 17 to 27 knots (31 to 49 kmph)
Deep Depression 28 to 33 knots (50 to 61 kmph)
Cyclonic Storm 34 to 47 knots (62 to 88 kmph)
Severe Cyclonic Storm 48 to 63 knots (89 to 118 kmph)
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 64 to 119 knots (119 to 221 kmph)
Super Cyclonic Storm 120 knots and above (222 kmph and
above)



Fig 1: Map showing Coastal Areas of India affected by Cyclones.


3. Classification of Tropical Cyclones:
The criteria followed by Meteorological Department of India (IMD) to classify the
low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea as adopted by
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) are as under:
Type of Disturbances Associated Wind Speed in the
Circulation
Low pressure Area Less than17 knots (<31 kmph)
Depression 17 to 27 knots (31 to 49 kmph)
Deep Depression 28 to 33 knots (50 to 61 kmph)
Cyclonic Storm 34 to 47 knots (62 to 88 kmph)
Severe Cyclonic Storm 48 to 63 knots (89 to 118 kmph)
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 64 to 119 knots (119 to 221 kmph)
Super Cyclonic Storm 120 knots and above (222 kmph and
above)
4. Major Tropical Cyclones in Indian Sub-continent:
The major Tropical cyclones which struck the coastal districts in India during the
period 1891-2006 are as under:
WEST COAST EAST COAST
State Coastal
Districts
No. of
Cyclones.
State Coastal Districts No. of
Cyclones.
Kerala (3) Malappuram 1 West Bengal
(69)
24 Paragana
(North and South).
35
Kozikode 1 Midnapur 34
Kannur 1
Karnataka
(2)
Dakshina
Kannada
1 Odisha (98) Balasore 32
Uttar
Kannada
1 Cuttack 32
Puri 19
Ganjam 15
Maharashtra
(13)
Sindhudurg 3 Andhra Pradesh
(79)
Srikakulam 14
Ratnagiri 3 Vishakhapatnam 9
Mumbai 3 East Godavari 8
Thane 4 West Godavari 5
Krishna 15
Guntur 5
Prakasam 7
Nellore 16
Goa (2) Goa 2 Tamil Nadu
(54)
Chennai 18
Cuddalore 7
Southarcot 5
Tanjavur 12
Pudukkottal 5
Ramnathpuram 3
Tirunelveli 2
Kanyakumari 2
Gujarat (28) Surat 1 Pondicherry (8) Pondicherry (UT) 8
Kaira 1
Bhavnagar 4
Amereli 4
Junangarh 7
Jamnagar 6
Kachchh 5

5. Destruction caused by Cyclones:
There are three elements associated with cyclones which cause destruction during its
occurrence. These are:
1. Strong Winds/Squall: Cyclones are known to cause severe damage to
infrastructure through high speed winds. Very strong winds which accompany
a cyclonic storm damages installations, dwellings, communications systems,
trees etc., resulting in loss of life and property. Gusts are short but rapid bursts
in wind speed are the main cause for damage. Squalls on the other hand, are
longer periods of increased wind speed and are generally associated with the
bands of thunderstorms that make up the spiral bands around the cyclone.
2. Torrential rains and inland flooding: Torrential rainfall (more than 30
cm/hour) associated with cyclones is another major cause of damages.
Unabated rain gives rise to unprecedented floods. Rain water on top of the
storm surge may add to the fury of the storm. Rain is a serious problem for the
people which become shelter less due to cyclone. Heavy rainfall from a
cyclone is usually spread over wide area and cause large scale soil erosion and
weakening of embankments.
3. Storm Surge: A Storm surge can be defined as an abnormal rise of sea level
near the coast caused by a severe tropical cyclone; as a result of which sea
water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions drowning human beings and
life stock, causes eroding beaches and embankments, destroys vegetation and
leads to reduction of soil fertility.
Brief details about damages caused by wind of different speed during cyclones are as
under
Wind Speed Intensity Damages expected.
Low Pressure Area Less than 17 knots (<31 kmph)
Depression 17 to 27 knots (31 to 49 kmph)
Deep Depression 28 to 33 knots (50 to 61 kmph)
Cyclonic Strom 34 to 47 knots (62 to 88 kmph)
Severe Cyclonic Strom 48 to 63 knots (89 to 118 kmph)
Very Severe Cyclonic Strom 64 to 119 knots (119 to 221 kmph)
Super Cyclonic Strom 1120 knots and above (222kmph and above)
Benefits of Tropical Cyclones:
o Although Tropical cyclones are known for destruction they cause, when they
strike they also bestow certain benefits to the climatic conditions of that area
such as
o Relieve drought conditions.
o Carry heat and energy away from the tropics and transport it towards
temperate latitudes, thus helps to maintain equilibrium in the Earths
troposphere and
o Maintain a relatively stable and warm temperature worldwide.
Management of Cyclones:
There are many structural and non-structural measures for effective disaster management of
cyclones. The structural measures include construction of cyclone shelters, construction of
cyclone resistant buildings, road links, culverts, bridges, canals, drains, saline embankments,
surface water tanks, communication and power transmission networks etc. Non-structural
measures like early warning dissemination systems, management of coastal zones, awareness
generation and disaster risk management and capacity building of all the stakeholders
involved. These measures are being adopted and tackled on State to State basis under
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) being implemented through World Bank
Assistance.






There are three elements associated with a cyclone, which cause destruction. They are
explained in the following paragraphs:

1. Cyclones are associated with high-pressure gradients and consequent strong
winds. These, in turn, generate storm surges. A storm surge is an abnormal
rise of sea level near the coast caused by a severe tropical cyclone; as a result,
sea water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions drowning human beings
and live- stock, eroding beaches and embankments, destroying vegetation and
reducing soil fertility.

2. Very strong winds may damage installations, dwellings, communication
systems, trees., etc. resulting in loss of life and property.

3. Heavy and prolonged rains due to cyclones may cause river floods and
submergence of low lying areas by rain causing loss of life and property.
Floods and coastal inundation due to storm surges pollute drinking water
sources causing outbreak of epidemics.

It may be mentioned that all the three factors mentioned above occur simultaneously and,
therefore, relief operations for distress mitigation become difficult. So it is imperative that
advance action is taken for relief measures before the commencement of adverse weather
conditions due to cyclones.
The most destructive element associated with an intense cyclone is storm surge. Past history
indicates that loss of life is significant when surge magnitude is 3 metres or more and
catastrophic when 5 metres and above.
EFFECTS OF CYCLONE
Severe tropical cyclones are responsible for large number of causalities and considerable
damage to property and agricultural crop. The destruction is confined to the coastal districts
and the maximum destruction being within 100 km from the centre of the cyclone and on the
right side of the storm track.
Principal dangers from cyclones are: (i) very strong winds, (ii) torrential rain, and (iii) high
storm tides.
Most casualties are caused by coastal inundation by storm surge. Maximum penetration of
storm surges varies from 10 to 20 km inland from the coast. Heavy rainfall and floods come
next in order of devastation. They are often responsible for much loss of life and damage to
property. Death and destruction directly due to winds are relatively less. The collapse of
buildings, falling trees, flying debris, electrocution, aircraft and ship accidents and disease
from contaminated food and water in the post-cyclone period also contribute to loss of life
and destruction of property.
Floods generated by cyclone rainfall are more destructive than winds. Rainfall of the order of
20 to 30 cm per day is common.
As mentioned, the worst danger emanates from the storm surge. In the storm centre, the
ocean surface is drawn upward by 30 centimeter or so above normal due to the reduced
atmospheric pressure in the centre. As the storm crosses the continental shelf and moves
coast ward, the mean water level increases.
This abnormal rise in sea level caused by cyclone is known as storm surge. The surge is
generated due to interaction of air, sea and land. The cyclone provides the driving force in the
form of very high horizontal atmospheric pressure gradient and very strong surface winds. As
a result, the sea level rises and continues to rise as cyclone moves over increasingly shallower
water as it approaches coast, and reaches a maximum on the coast near the point of landfall
(Point of crossing coast). Surge is maximum in the right forward sector of the cyclone and
about 50-100 Km from the centre coinciding with the zone of maximum wind. Winds in this
sector are from ocean to land.
Due to improvement in cyclone warning system and adequate and timely steps taken by the
government and other agencies, it appears to be some stabilization (in spite of large
population growth especially in coastal areas) on the loss of human lives, although loss of
properties shows an appreciable increasing trend. The increase in the loss of properties is due
to increased but unplanned human activities.
Engineered and non-engineered constructions along the coast also contribute to the damage
suffered by property. In support of the above statements, we present some data on recent
cyclones in the table 7.2 below. It may be seen that although the May 1979 and May 1990
cyclones, which occurred in the same coastal area of Andhra Pradesh and had the peak wind
speeds of the same order, yet the loss of human lives in the case of the 1990 cyclone was of
the same order comparison to that of 1977 cyclone but the economic losses were many times
more in the 1990 cyclone.















CASE STUDY




Tropical Cyclone HELEN made landfall on 22 November at around 11h00 UTC near
Machillipatnam, in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. Just before landfall, it had max.
sustained wind speed of 64 km/h, equivalent to a Tropical Storm. Heavy rainfall
accompanied its passage that caused extended flooding in the area.
As of early on 24 November (UTC), Indian media report 7 people killed in Coastal
Andhra Pradesh, in rain and wind-related incidents. The first estimates of the flood
damage are for a total of ca. 200 000 ha of damaged crops in Krishna, West and East
Godavari districts. Late on 24 November (UTC), there were still power outages in West
and East Godavari. Prior to the arrival of HELEN, the same media reported that ca. 17
000 people evacuated from the coastal areas and 66 relief camps were opened and
provisioned.
Meanwhile, a new and potentially much stronger Tropical Cyclone is heading towards the
south-eastern Indian coast. LEHAR formed on 23 November west of the coasts of
Thailand and moved north-west, across the Bay of Bengal. On 25 November, 12h00
UTC, it had a max. sustained wind speed of 121 km/h (equivalent to a Hurricane), after
having traversed Andaman and Nicobar islands late on 24 November.
LEHAR is forecast to move towards the coast of Andhra Pradesh, strengthening, and
approach land on 28 of November, in the same general area as HELEN. Strong winds and
heavy rainfall should affect coastal Andhra Pradesh as LEHAR makes landfall. Heavy
rainfall (210mm in 24h) has already affected the Andaman & Nicobar islands. As of 25
November, there were reports of evacuations, but none of damage.











CYCLONES AFFECTING INDIA YEAR BY YEAR
Every year during the cyclone season in India, various tropical cyclones form in the Bay of
Bengal or in the Arabian Sea, bringing strong winds and heavy rains. Here we have tried to
compile a list of few severe to very severe cyclones that hit India in last one decade causing
massive destruction of life and property.
Cyclone Nisha (2008)
Cyclone Nisha was the seventh tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the year 2008. A
fairly weak tropical cyclone, it caused some notable damage in India and Sri Lanka. On
November 26, the Indian Meteorological Department upgraded the deep depression in the
Bay of Bengal to a cyclonic storm and named it Nisha. Over 180 people were killed in Tamil
Nadu alone due to heavy rain and floods caused by the cyclone. Orathanadu, in Thanjavur
District in Tamil Nadu received over 990 mm of rain within 24 hours. The total amount of
rainfall received from Nisha was about 1280 mm. The damage caused by the cyclone was
estimated to be about 3789 crores.
Cyclone Phyan (2009)
Cyclonic Storm Phyan developed as a tropical disturbance in the Arabian Sea to the
southwest of Colombo in Sri Lanka on November 4, 2009 and made landfall in south India
on November 7. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) named this cyclonic Storm as
Phyan. High Alert was issued in states of Gujarat and Maharashtra as heavy rainfall of over
25 cm was expected. Massive damage to property was reported in coastal districts of
Maharashtra, such as Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Thane and Palghar.
Cyclone Jal (2010)
Jal was the fourth severe cyclonic storm of the year 2010. Jal is a Sanskrit word, meaning
water.. Jal brought torrential rains over parts of Thailand and Malaysia, triggering severe
flooding and killing several people. In Sri Lanka, heavy rainfall with strong winds of up to
110kmph caused flooding affecting around 80,000 people. Storm warning were hoisted in
Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts of Orissa and over 70,000 people were evacuated from
four districts of Andhra Pradesh. Cyclone Jal killed at least 54 people in India alone. About
300 thousand hectares of cropland was devastated by the cyclone. The remnants of Jal
continued to move northwest, they brought light to moderate spells of rain in India's warmest
state of Rajasthan and also in Gujarat.
Cyclone Laila (2010)
Severe cyclonic storm Laila was the first cyclonic storm to affect southeast India since the
1990 Andhra Pradesh cyclone. Laila developed on May 17, 2010 in the Bay of Bengal and
made a landfall in Andhra Pradesh on the 20th of May. Cyclone Laila caused major flooding
and damage along its path. Ongole in Andhra Pradesh recorded heavy rainfall of about 460
mm in just two days. Another town Addanki received the highest rainfall of 522 mm,
followed by Maddipadu with 510 mm and Kothapatnam 258 mm in just 24 hours. The state
government faced a loss of over Rs 500 crore due to Cyclone Laila.
Cyclone Thane (2011)
Thane was the strongest tropical cyclone of 2011 within the North Indian Ocean. Thane
became a Very severe cyclonic storm on December 28, as it approached the Indian states of
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and made landfall at north Tamil Nadu coast between
Cuddalore and Puducherry on December 30. Thane left at least 46 people dead in Tamil Nadu
and Puducherry. Cuddalore and Puducherry were the worst affected areas.
Cyclone Nilam (2012)
Cyclonic Storm Nilam was the deadliest tropical cyclone to directly affect south India since
Cyclone Jal in 2010. It made landfall near Mahabalipuram on October 31 as a strong cyclonic
storm with peak winds of 85 kmph. In Chennai's Marina Beach, strong winds pushed piles of
sand ashore and seawater reached nearly 100m inland. More than 3000 people were
evacuated around Mahabalipuram in the wake of the storm. While damages to property were
considerable, human casualties were very few, Nilam caused economic losses of around Rs
100 crore because of torrential rain. As sea tides became high, a 'Danger 7' alarm was issued
at the Chennai Port to minimize damage.

Cyclone Phailin (2013)
The recent in the list is Cyclone Phailin which is a category 5 storm- the most powerful. It
struck the Odisha and Andhra coast last month causing massive destruction in the region-
affecting 12 million people. Phailin is a Thai word which means Sapphire. This cyclone
prompted India's biggest evacuation in 23 years with more than 5,50,000 people being moved
from the coastline in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to safer shelters. Phailin brought very heavy
rain of over 600 mm at many stations of Odisha. It also damaged crops worth Rs 2,400 crore
and claimed over 40 lives. Loses due to Cyclone Phailin were estimated to be around 696
million dollars or rupees 420crore.














CONCLUSION
Recognizing that awareness about vulnerabilities is a sine qua non for inducing a mindset of
disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, the Government has initiated a nation-wide
awareness generation campaign as part of its overall disaster risk management strategy. In
order to devise an effective and holistic campaign, a steering committee for mass media
campaign has been constituted at the national level with due representation of experts from
diverse streams of communication. The Committee has formulated a campaign strategy
aimed at changing peoples perception of natural hazards and has consulted the agencies and
experts associated with advertising and media to instill a culture of safety against natural
hazards.
Apart from the use of print and electronic media, it is proposed to utilize places with high
public visibility viz. hospitals, schools, railway stations and bus terminals, airports and post
offices, commercial complexes and municipality offices etc. to make people aware of their
vulnerabilities and promote creation of a safe living environment.
A novel method being tried is the use of government stationery viz. postal letters, bank
stationery, railway tickets, airline boarding cards and tickets etc. for disseminating the
message of disaster risk reduction. Slogans and messages for this purpose have already been
developed and have been communicated to concerned Ministries/agencies for printing and
dissemination. The mass media campaign will help build the knowledge, attitude and skills of
the people in vulnerability reduction and sustainable disaster risk management measures.

Special Focus to Northeastern States
A special focus is being given to North-Eastern States and the Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. The North-Eastern Council has been made the nodal agency for the NE States. The
NEC has been provided with a resource person/advisor in disaster management. A detailed
presentation on the vulnerabilities of the NE region and the need for comprehensive disaster
management plan has been made in the Governing Body of NE Council. An action plan has
been drawn up by NEC and a declaration namely Shillong Declaration has been adopted by
States in the NE region for integrating disaster management with development
planning. 140 officials and non-officials have been trained in disaster management to act as
resource persons for the NE region. State and district level sensitization and training
programmes are being carried out.
The various prevention and mitigation measures outlined above are aimed at building up the
capabilities of the communities, voluntary organisations and Government functionaries at all
levels. Particular stress is being laid on ensuring that these measures are institutionalized
considering the vast population and the geographical area of the country. This is a major task
being undertaken by the Government to put in place mitigation measures for vulnerability
reduction. This is just a beginning. The ultimate goal is to make prevention and mitigation a
part of normal day-to-day life. The above mentioned initiatives will be put in place and
information disseminated over a period of five to eight years. We have a firm conviction that
with these measures in place, we could say with confidence that disasters like Orissa cyclone
and Bhuj earthquake will not be allowed to recur in this country; at least not at the cost,
which the country has paid in these two disasters in terms of human lives, livestock, loss of
property and means of livelihood.










SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMEDATIONS
CYCLONES Dos & Donts

The actions that need to be taken in the event of a cyclone threat can broadly be divided into
four classes, viz., (i) immediately before the cyclone season; (ii) when cyclone alerts and
warnings are on;(iii) when evacuations are advised; and (iv) when the cyclone has crossed
the coast.

(i) Before the Cyclone season:
Check the house; secure loose tiles, carry out repair works for doors and windows. Remove
dead woods or dying trees close to the house; anchor removable objects like lumber piles,
loose tin sheds, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards etc. which can fly in strong winds.
Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass windows can be boarded if needed
Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery operated torches and enough dry cells.
Demolish condemned buildings
Keep some extra batteries for transistors
Keep some dry non-perishable food always ready for emergency use

(ii) When the Cyclone starts
Listen to the radio (All India Radio stations give weather warnings).
Keep monitoring the warnings. This will help you to prepare for a cyclone emergency.
Pass on the information to others.
Ignore rumours and do not spread them; this will help to avoid panic situations.
Believe in the official information
When a cyclone alert is on for your area continue normal working but stay alert to the radio
warnings.
Remember that a cyclone alert means that the danger is within 24 hours. Stay alert.
When your area is under cyclone warning get away from low-lying beaches or other low-
lying areas close to the coast
Leave early before your way to high ground or shelter gets flooded
Do not delay and run the risk of being marooned
If your house is securely built on high ground take shelter in the safer part of the house.
However, if asked to evacuate do not hesitate to leave the place.
Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place.
Provide strong suitable support for outside doors.
If you do not have wooden boards handy, paste paper strips on glasses to prevent splinters.
However, this may not avoid breaking windows.
Get extra food, which can be eaten without cooking. Store extra drinking water in suitably
covered vessels.
If you are to evacuate the house move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimize
flood damage.
Have hurricane lantern, torches or other emergency lights in working conditions and keep
them handy.
Small and loose things, which can fly in strong winds, should be stored safely in a room.
Be sure that a window and door can be opened only on the side opposite to the one facing the
wind.
Make provision for children and adults requiring special diets.
If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly over your house there will be a lull in the wind
and rain lasting for half and hour or so. During this time do not go out; because immediately
after that very strong winds will blow from the opposite direction.
Switch off electrical mains in your house.
(iii) When Evacuation is instructed
Pack essentials for yourself and your family to last you a few days, including medicines,
special foods for babies and children or elders.
Head for the proper shelter or evacuation points indicated for your area.
Do not worry about your property.
At the shelter follow instructions of the person in charge.
Remain in the shelter until you have been informed to leave.

(iv) Post-cyclone measures
You should remain in the shelter until informed that you can return to your home.
You must get inoculated against diseases immediately.
Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from the lamp posts.
If you are to drive, drive carefully.
Clear debris from your premises immediately.
Report the correct loss to appropriate authorities.






Certain important things to be aware and keep note of:
When a cyclone season is safely over, start using any food or other limited life articles in
your Emergency Kit and replace them during your normal shopping trips. This will save you
the aggravation of joining the panic buying conga line queues in the supermarket at the last
minute.Walk around and look at your house and yard from the perspective of gale force
winds. Check the state of your roof and gutters; secure or remove any potential missiles and
overhanging branches. Contact your local council to check whether your house has been built
to cyclone standards and identify the strongest room or area within your house.Check that
your property and contents insurance policies are up to date and cover you for wind, storm
surge and flood damage, including debris removal and cleanup afterwards. Make a room by
room list and take digital photographs of your valuable furniture, electrical and personal
items to be stored on CD in your Emergency Kit, along with your insurance policies.
Examples of emergency planning templates and family activities to assist children and their
households prepare for cyclones can be printed from the Get Ready Kidnas! on-line
resource.When a cyclone is imminent, tape up all windows and set yourself and family up in
the strongest part of the building. This is usually somewhere with the smallest or even no
windows, such as the bathroom or a central hallway. Keep the portable radio, mattresses and
blankets, Emergency and Evacuation Kits with you.The aftermath can be almost as dangerous
as the cyclone itself. Keep your portable radio on at all times for updates. It is vital that you
do not venture outdoors until the official all clear has been advised. The eye of the cyclone is
quite deceptive as it produces an interval of total calmness. But as the eye moves away, the
gale force winds will come back with a vengeance in the opposite direction.Once the all clear
is given, dress appropriately for damage assessment and cleanup. This does not mean thongs
or bare feet, cover up and wear sturdy footwear and gloves. Dont wade through or play in
floodwaters; sharp debris, bacteria, snakes and even crocodiles could be lurking in the murky
depths. Stay away from damaged trees, partially collapsed buildings and keep a lookout for
fallen power lines.
Use your Emergency Contact List to notify friends and relatives of your wellbeing; report
damage to insurance companies and contact emergency services for assistance if
required.And lastly, learn from the experience and decide what you could have done better to
ensure the safety of you and your family.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book on Disaster Management
Newspaper Article: The Hindu- Nov 5,2013














WIBLIOGRAPHY
www.timesofindia.com
Disaster Management Guideline-Govt of India