Disaster Vulnerability of Coastal States - A Short Case Study of Orissa, India
7 Pages Posted: 19 Dec 2007
Date Written: November 2007
Abstract
The state of Orissa is one of the most disaster prone states in the Indian Union. Orissa's six coastal districts are often subjected to tropical storm systems like cyclones as well as storm induced flooding and surges. With the burgeoning population, the threat of the coastal vulnerability risk has increased manifold. Severe flooding caused by storm surges during the 1999 super cyclone caused massive damage to life and property. Although it is not possible to completely wish away the risk posed by such disasters yet much of the damage could be prevented by efficient preparedness plans at different levels of civil society. The need for better access to vital information through a scientific disaster preparedness and response system is long felt. The need of the hour is effective risk mapping and assessment. The paper assesses the vulnerability of the Coastal States of India with special case study of Orissa. Through the study of historical data, the vulnerability of the coast is established. The Socio-economic fabric of the state of the Orissa along with the physiographic conditions is also studied. It focuses on the study of changing seasonal trends understood through cultural semantics. It also tries to address the problem of Cyclone Hazard Risk Management in the coastal areas in relation to the Indian Disaster management Framework.
Keywords: Cyclone, Tropical Monsoons, Coastal Activities, Vulnerability, Risk
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