Disaster preparedness reduces casualties during cyclones in India

Authorities in India minimized casualties and property damage as Cyclones Arnab and Murasu hit the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The state of Andhra Pradesh reported seven deaths from the two consecutive cyclones. Cyclone Arnab caused an estimated ₹4,526 crore in damage when it made landfall on October 28. Cyclone Murasu followed on November 3 and affected about 52,500 hectares of standing crops. In the neighboring state of Odisha, the first cyclone damaged nearly 90,000 hectares of crops.

Personnel from Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu traveled to Andhra Pradesh to assist with rescue efforts. The use of the Real Time Governance Society and other technologies helped reduce the impact of these storms. This approach resulted in fewer deaths and less damage than during Cyclone Hudhud in 2014, which caused 63 deaths and nearly ₹22,000 crore in damage to Andhra Pradesh.

The Union government plans to release the first installment of funds to the affected states following a preliminary assessment of flood areas. The editorial argues that the government should improve the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to provide better safety for farmers. It suggests that State governments should raise awareness and provide extra benefits to support agriculturists. The Union government also needs to provide more financial assistance for permanent restoration projects.

While the National and State Disaster Response Funds now include reconstruction, the author suggests the Centre should provide additional aid to ease the financial burden on States when public infrastructure suffers extensive damage.