Disaster Preparedness and Recovery: India’s Tropical Cyclone Hudhud

Andhra Pradesh was highly prone to natural disasters. Cyclones and floods were recurrent phenomena in the state. The physical safety of communities, especially the vulnerable groups, was threatened by natural disasters. Therefore the state authorities felt the need for multi-hazard prevention and response and recovery plans to minimize the threat to human life and property. The loss of human lives due to cyclonic storms was devastating. The loss was compounded by damage to agricultural crops and livestock.

After Andhra Pradesh was struck by a major cyclone in 1969, the Government of India (Ministry of Irrigation and Power in consultation with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation) in 1970 appointed the Cyclone Distress Mitigation Committee (CDMC). The CDMC aimed to review the mitigation efforts on cyclones. In 1971, the CDMC made several recommendations comprising identifying vulnerable areas, installation and upgrading of the warning system, relief preparedness, restoring damaged infrastructure, constructing cyclone shelters, ensuring availability of drinking water, and a calamities fund...