Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org

Preamble
The State of West Bengal, unlike others, is prone to a wide spectrum of natural hazards ranging from
landslides in hilly regions, flooding and bank erosion of rivers, earthquake, and devastations due to
cyclones. Of these, the last mentioned inflicts damage in many ways – generation of storm surge in
the ocean that lashes against the coast, the strong gusts of wind that threatens to wipe out villages,
and the extreme precipitation that causes drainage congestion, especially in urbanized areas. In a
way, cyclones form a veritable threat to nearly one-third of the state’s population that has the largest
concentration in the southern districts, which lie not very far from the Bay of Bengal, including the
state capital of Kolkata.
The report presented herein attempts to look into the threat perception to the State of West Bengal
and suggest possible mitigation measures. The mitigation measures suggested are in the lines of the
recommendations of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), like strengthening and
raising of embankments to prevent sea water intrusion and inundation, shelter belt plantations,
regeneration of mangroves, location of cyclone shelters, identification of missing road links, etc. In
addition, a detailed study has been done to analyse the effect of extreme cyclonic precipitation over
the city of Kolkata and its highly urbanized surroundings, though a threat to the city by way of
cyclonic storm appears to be rare but not impossible. This is proved by the records of 1737, when a
huge wave of water sweeping along river Hooghly cast off thousands of boats and ships along the
river. The accompanying storm is said to have devastated much of the city’s mud walled and
thatched houses as has been recorded in the registers of the East India Company.
This report has been attempted to be made as comprehensive as possible, taking into account every
minute detail available. However, it is natural that there could be some inadvertent lapses at some
places, for which we would look forward to any constructive suggestion. We would also welcome any
opinion that may enhance the completeness of this report.
Preamble
(Prof. Shishir Kumar Dube)
Director, IIT Kharagpur
Principal Investigator