Vulnerability Profile

India is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of disasters. More than 58.6 per
cent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity; over 40
million hectares (12%) of its land is prone to floods and river erosion; close to 5,700 kms, out
of the 7,516 kms long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis; 68% of its cultivable area
is vulnerable to droughts; and, its hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches.
Moreover, India is also vulnerable to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)
emergencies and other man-made disasters.

Disaster risks in India are further compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related to

changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, unplanned urbanization,
development within high-risk zones, environmental degradation, climate change, geological
hazards, epidemics and pandemics. Clearly, all these contribute to a situation where
disasters seriously threaten Indias economy, its population and sustainable development. A
holistic and integrated approach will be evolved towards disaster management with emphasis on
building strategic partnerships at various levels. The themes underpinning the policy are:
Community based DM, including last mile integration of the policy, plans and execution.
Capacity development in all spheres.
Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
Cooperation with agencies at national and international levels.
Multi-sectoral synergy.

Cyclones
Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by
swift and often destructive air circulation. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and
bad weather. The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and
clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. Cyclones are classified as: (i) extra tropical cyclones (also
called temperate cyclones); and (ii) tropical cyclones. The word Cyclone is derived from the Greek
word Cyclos meaning the coils of a snake. It was coined by Henry Peddington because the tropical
storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea appear like coiled serpents of the sea.
Classifications
Cyclones are classified as extra tropical cyclones (also called temperate cyclones); and tropical
cyclones.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO, 1976) uses the term 'Tropical Cyclone to cover
weather systems in which winds exceed Gale Force (minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph). Tropical
cyclones are the progeny of ocean and atmosphere, powered by the heat from the sea; and driven
by easterly trades and temperate westerlies, high planetary winds and their own fierce energy.
In India, cyclones are classified by:
Strength of associated winds,
Storm surges
 Exceptional rainfall occurrences.
Extra tropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and high latitude regions, though they are known
to originate in the Polar Regions.
Cyclones that developin the regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer are called tropical
cyclones. Tropical cyclones are large-scale weather systems developing over tropical or subtropical
waters, where they get organized into surface wind circulation.
Worldwide terminology
Cyclones are given many names in different regions of the world They are known as typhoons in
the China Sea and Pacific Ocean; hurricanes in the West Indian islands in the Caribbean Sea and
Atlantic Ocean; tornados in the Guinea lands of West Africa and southern USA.; willy-willies in north-
western Australia and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
Indian Meteorological Department

The criteria below has been formulated by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which
classifies the low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on the basis of
capacity to damage, which is adopted by the WMO.

Type of Disturbances Wind Speed in Km/h Wind Speed in Knots

Low Pressure Less than 31 Less than 17

Depression 31-49 17-27

Deep Depression 49-61 27-33

Cyclonic Storm 61-88 33-47

Severe Cyclonic Storm 88-117 47-63

Super Cyclone More than 221 More than 120

1 knot - 1.85 km per hour

Cyclones are classified into five different levels on the basis of wind speed. They are further divided
into the following categories according to their capacity to cause damage:-

Cyclone Category Wind Speed in Km/h Damage Capacity

01 120-150 Minimal

02 150-180 Moderate

03 180-210 Extensive
 04 210-250 Extreme

05 250 and above Catastrophic

Storm surges (tidal waves) are defined as the rise in sea level above the normally predicted
astronomical tide. Major factors include:
A fall in the atmospheric pressure over the sea surface
Effect of the wind
Influence of the sea bed
A funnelling effect
The angle and speed at which the storm approaches the coast
The tides
The very high specific humidity condenses into exceptionally large raindrops and giant cumulus
clouds, resulting in high precipitation rates. When a cyclone makes landfall, rain rapidly saturates the
catchment areas and the rapid runoff may extensively flood the usual water sources or create new
ones.

How Cyclones are formed

The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:
Formation and Initial Development Stage
The formation and initial development of a cyclonic storm depends upon various conditions. These
are:
A warm sea (a temperature in excess of 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 m) with
abundant and turbulent transfer of water vapour to the overlying atmosphere by evaporation.
Atmospheric instability encouraging formation of massive vertical cumulus clouds due to
convection with condensation of rising air above ocean surface.
Mature Tropical Cyclones
When a tropical storm intensifies, the air rises in vigorous thunderstorms and tends to spread out
horizontally at the tropopause level. Once air spreads out, a positive perturbation pressure at high
levels is produced, which accelerates the downward motion of air due to convection. With the
inducement of subsidence, air warms up by compression and a warm Eye is generated. Generally,
the Eye of the storms has three basic shapes: (i) circular;(ii) concentric; and (iii) elliptical. The main
physical feature of a mature tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean is a concentric pattern of highly
turbulent giant cumulus thundercloud bands.

Modification and Decay

A tropical cyclone begins to weaken in terms of its central low pressure, internal warmth and
extremely high speeds, as soon as its source of warm moist air begins to ebb, or is abruptly cut off.
This happens after its landfall or when it passes over cold waters. The weakening of a cyclone does
not mean that the danger to life and property is over.
Indian Context
 The Indian subcontinent is one of the worst affected regions in the world. The subcontinent with a
long coastline of 8041 kilometres is exposed to nearly 10 per cent of the worlds tropical cyclones. Of
these, the majority of them have their initial genesis over the Bay of Bengal and strike the East coast
of India. On an average, five to six tropical cyclones form every year, of which two or three could be
severe. More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea and the ratio is
approximately 4:1. Cyclones occur frequently on both the coasts (the West coast - Arabian Sea; and
the East coast - Bay of Bengal). An analysis of the frequency of cyclones on the East and West
coasts of India between 1891 and 1990 shows that nearly 262 cyclones occurred (92 of these
severe) in a 50 km wide strip above the East coast. Less severe cyclonic activity has been noticed
on the West coast, where 33 cyclones occurred the same period, out of which 19 of were severe.

Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May-June and October-November. Cyclones of severe
intensity and frequency in the North Indian Ocean are bi-modal in character, with their primary peak
in November and secondary peak in May. The disaster potential is particularly high during landfall in
the North Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea) due to the accompanying destructive
wind, storm surges and torrential rainfall. Of these, storm surges cause the most damage as sea
water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions and causes heavy floods, erodes beaches and
embankments, destroys vegetation and reduces soil fertility.

Cyclones vary in diameter from 50 to 320 km but their effects dominate thousands of square
kilometers of ocean surface and the lower atmosphere. The perimeter may measure 1,000 km but
the powerhouse is located within the 100-km radius. Nearer the Eye, winds may hit at a speed of
320 km. Thus, tropical cyclones, characterized by destructive winds, torrential rainfall and storm
surges disrupt normal life with the accompanying phenomena of floods due to the exceptional level
of rainfall and storm surge inundation into inland areas. Cyclones are characterized by their
devastating potential to damage structures, viz. houses; lifeline infrastructure-power and
communication towers; hospitals; food storage facilities; roads, bridges and culverts; cropss etc. The
most fatalities come from storm surges and the torrential rain flooding the lowland areas of coastal
territories.
Cyclone Prone Districts
Environment and Social management Framework - The National Cyclone Risk Management Project
(NCRMP).
Before the Cyclone season:
Check the house; secure loose tiles and carry out repairs of doors and windows
Remove dead branches or dying trees close to the house; anchor removable objects such as
lumber piles, loose tin sheets, 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 use in emergency
Necessary actions
The actions that need to be taken in the event of a cyclone threat can broadly be divided into :
Immediately before the cyclone season
 When cyclone alerts and warnings are communicated
When evacuations are advised
When the cyclone has crossed the coast

When the Cyclone starts

Listen to the radio (All India Radio stations give weather warnings).
Keep monitoring the warnings. This will help you prepare for a cyclone emergency.
Pass 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.
Stay alert for the next 24 hours as a cyclone alert means that the danger is within 24 hours.

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 safe 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 have to evacuate the house move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimize
flood damage.
Ensure that your hurricane lantern, torches or other emergency lights are in working
condition 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 diet.
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 an 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 the electrical mains in your house.
Remain calm.
When Evacuation is instructed
Pack essentials for yourself and your family to last a few days. These should include
medicines, special food 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 are informed to leave
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 lamp posts.
If you have to drive, do drive carefully.
Clear debris from your premises immediately.
Report the correct losses to appropriate authorities.

After All Clear is issued for back movement by State give attention to the following:
Whether roads for reaching home is recommended by authorities;
Whether power lines are safe;
Whether transport arrangement is approved by authorities
Pure drinking water is available;
Sewage lines are working;
Any epidemic spread in the area;
Safety of neighbor(s) assured;
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) adopted a 9 step process, while preparing the
National Guidelines on Management of Cyclones. This include a national workshop and several
meetings of the core group and sub groups, including representatives from concerned ministries of
the Government of India, senior government officials from 13 coastal states and Union Territories
(UTs), senior members from science and technology institutions and social workers from prominent
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). This is 4-tier feedback and interaction from:
Sub-district level
District level
State/UT Level
National level - Ministries of the Government of India
Finally, a series of meetings deliberated on various aspects of the subject and released its
conclusions on 24 April 2008.
Guidelines for Cyclone
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project

Indian coasts are highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and consequent recurrent
loss of life and property. Recognizing this, the Government of India has considered
the hazard risk mitigation approach through short term and long term measures,
which lay greater emphasis on prevention, preparedness and mitigation. With this in
view, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India conceptualized a
comprehensive National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Strategy through several
consultations, ending with a National Workshop, in 2003, "Developing Strategy for
Cyclone Mitigation in the Coastal and Island Regions of India" . To give effect to the
strategic interventions, the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to put in place the
"National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project". After the formation of National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA), the management of the Project was transferred to
NDMA in September, 2006. This is the first such effort at the national level with
World Bank assistance to cover 13 coastal states and UTs.