Cyclone Arnab, Odisha Landslides and Post Cyclone Flood Management
Context
Heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Arnab resulted in flooding across Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while a landslide in Kandhamal district claimed three lives. Relief and rescue operations faced challenges due to overflowing rivers, damaged infrastructure and settlements cut off from connectivity.
The incident highlights the need to approach cyclones as compound disasters, involving multiple interconnected hazards, rather than treating them solely as high wind events.
Key Highlights
- A landslide in Kandhamal district claimed three lives, while Ganjam and Gajapati districts experienced significant flooding.
- According to the Odisha administration’s initial assessment, approximately 84,564 people were affected across the listed districts.
- Andhra Pradesh announced relief measures covering crop losses, household damage, equipment and livelihood related assistance following the cyclone.
- Flooding and landslide risks may continue even after a cyclone makes landfall due to saturated catchments, overflowing rivers and disruptions to road and electricity networks.
Key Concepts
- Cyclone Related Compound Disaster: A disaster involving multiple hazards occurring simultaneously or sequentially, including strong winds, storm surges, heavy rainfall, flash floods and slope failures.
- Landslide Susceptibility: The likelihood of landslides occurring, influenced by factors such as slope characteristics, lithology, soil saturation, changes in land cover, drainage disturbances and unregulated construction.
- IMD Early Warning System: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides weather forecasts and hazard alerts. The NDMA, SDMAs and DDMAs coordinate disaster management at different administrative levels under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Way Forward
- Strengthen district level evacuation plans, develop resilient shelters and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of healthcare services during disasters.
- Restore drainage systems, reinforce hill slope protection measures and improve early warning mechanisms in settlements located in high risk areas.
- Link compensation to verified assessments of losses while simultaneously developing long term livelihood resilience among affected communities.