India’s east coast is highly vulnerable to cyclones, particularly during October and November, when the Bay of Bengal frequently spawns severe storms. Despite improved disaster preparedness over recent decades, property and livelihood losses remain substantial.

Cyclone Vulnerability on the East Coast

• Seasonal Pattern: October–November are the peak cyclone months in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Out of 12 major cyclones between the 18th–20th centuries, nine occurred during this period.
• Historical Disasters: 1977 Cyclone (Nizampatnam, Andhra Pradesh): ~10,000 deaths.
  • 1999 Super Cyclone (Paradip, Odisha): ~10,000 deaths.
  • Both events remain stark reminders of the region’s recurring vulnerability.

Recent Cyclone Montha (2025)

• Development: Began intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm on October 27–28, 2025.
  • Though weaker than the 1977 and 1999 cyclones, it raised serious concerns for coastal states.
• Affected Regions: 
  • Andhra Pradesh: Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Kakinada, Konaseema.
  • Odisha: Ganjam and Gajapati (under “red alert”).
• Government Response:
  • ~10,000 people evacuated from vulnerable regions in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Odisha government coordinated evacuations and deployed NDRF teams for emergency assistance.

Improvement in Preparedness

• Disaster Management Evolution: In the last two decades, Union and State governments have greatly improved early warning systems, evacuation protocols, and relief coordination.
  • Mass fatalities—common in earlier decades—have been largely prevented.
• Institutional Strengthening: Better inter-agency coordination between IMD, NDRF, and State Disaster Response Authorities (SDRAs).
  • Enhanced community-level awareness and use of digital alerts.

Continuing Challenges

• Livelihood and Property Loss: Despite reduced human casualties, public and private property damage remains extensive.
  • Underprivileged communities, dependent on agriculture, fisheries, and informal labour, face lasting income disruption.
• Impact on Livestock: Milch and draught animals, poultry, and related livelihoods are often devastated.
  • Example: During Cyclone Gaja (2018) in Tamil Nadu, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur saw large-scale losses of cattle and poultry.

Way Forward

• Structural Measures: Strengthening embankments, cyclone shelters, and resilient infrastructure in coastal areas.
  • Promotion of climate-adaptive housing and agriculture.
• Non-Structural Measures: Continuous capacity building, early-warning communication, and community preparedness drills.
  • Insurance and livelihood diversification to protect vulnerable groups.
• CRZ Enforcement: Strengthen Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) compliance through hazard mapping, risk-based land-use planning, and eco-sensitive infrastructure in vulnerable coastal areas.
• Mangrove Restoration: Scale up mangrove plantation and protection under the MISHTI scheme as natural cyclone buffers, integrating them into Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) with active community participation.
• Accountability and Impartiality: Political leadership must ensure fair and transparent distribution of relief aid.
• • All affected persons must be safeguarded irrespective of region or affiliation.
• Administrative Vigilance: Relief measures must move beyond emergency response to include long-term rehabilitation and livelihood restoration.

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Conclusion

While India’s cyclone management capacity has improved remarkably, true resilience lies in integrating relief with long-term rehabilitation, ensuring livelihood recovery, and maintaining equity in disaster response. The east coast’s recurring exposure demands a sustained, inclusive, and adaptive approach to coastal disaster governance.

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