00:00Remember the 1999 Odisha super cyclone that claimed more than 10,000 lives.
00:07In 2026 now, several years on, we witnessed cyclone Arnab as well as cyclone Mursu.
00:14Two cyclones in a matter of one week.
00:17But when we speak of casualties, less than 10.
00:21Now, here's a look at this chart focused on the cyclone casualties over the years.
00:26Odisha super cyclone that I referred to in 1999, nearly 10,000 was the death toll.
00:31Cyclone Phelan, 2013, the death toll around 44 to 50.
00:35Cyclone Fani in 2019, around 64 died.
00:39Cyclone Biporjoy in 2023, zero deaths.
00:43Cyclone Dana in 2024, zero deaths.
00:46You see that number has gone down.
00:47It's great news.
00:48But what's changed?
00:49Have cyclones in India become weaker?
00:52Not really.
00:52The cyclones have not become weaker, but we've actually aced our cyclone preparedness game over the years.
00:58Let me tell you the areas where we've improved that's making all of the difference.
01:03First, better weather forecasting.
01:06Satellites, Doppler weather radars, ocean buoys, they observe developing cyclones.
01:12Advanced numerical weather forecasting models aid in forecasting cyclone paths, intensity and land impact.
01:18And so with that prediction, the lead time has increased, granting officials more time to prepare.
01:24Warnings based on location, their impacts, assist in recognising risk zones.
01:30IMG's forecast errors for landfall points is decreased by approximately 35 to 45 percent during 2021-2025 in comparison to
01:392016-2020.
01:41There's also another factor here, mass evacuations that take place.
01:46Coastal communities at risk are relocated to safer areas prior to the cyclone's arrival.
01:51District administration, law enforcement, emergency response teams, community volunteers, they all organise evacuations.
01:59Fishermen are advised to avoid going out into the ocean.
02:02Schools, public facilities are turned into temporary shelters when needed.
02:05For example, Cyclone Fani in 2019, approximately 1 million people were evacuated from coastal areas in Odisha.
02:14There's stronger infrastructure, therefore.
02:16Multipurpose cyclone shelters offer secure protection.
02:19Raised structures assist in safeguarding individuals from floodwaters and storm surges.
02:24There are improved roads, bridges.
02:27Emergency access, therefore, is enhanced and that helps in evacuation efforts.
02:31Coastal barriers have also been developed to provide an extra layer of defence.
02:37There's also better response to these disasters.
02:40We've got the NDRF, state disaster response teams, already out who get everything ready before the storm even makes landfall.
02:47They're strategically positioned rescue boats, medical units, emergency supplies.
02:52And apart from this, we also have the power, telecom and transport authorities all on highly embracing for any potential
02:58disruptions.
02:59Odisha stands out as a great example of this progress, especially through its Odisha disaster rapid action force.
03:06During Cyclone Dana in 2024, this particular force, the state team evacuated over 4.17 lakh people across 11 districts
03:16in one day.
03:18There's also social media.
03:21Warnings are sent out through text messages, TV, radio, phone apps on social media.
03:26Local volunteers and loudspeakers make sure people in faraway locations get the message.
03:31And so fishermen and people living near the coast get these special alerts that warn them that, look, this storm
03:36is coming, this cyclone is coming.
03:38But the challenge doesn't end here.
03:41Lives are being saved, which is amazing.
03:44There's still, however, loss of homes, livelihoods and infrastructure.
03:47And so while we've come up with a mechanism and where everyone works together, these cyclones are no longer a
03:54threat to human life.
03:55But there is a question also of rehabilitation, whether India is able to rebuild the communities just as fast as
04:01it evacuates.
04:02There's still, however, loss of homes.
