Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org
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Chapter Three<br />
Effect of <strong>Cyclone</strong>s on Kolkata <strong>and</strong> Surroundings<br />
3.1. Hazard on urban habitation zones due to tropical cyclones<br />
The most important urban conglomeration within the easy reach of tropical cyclonic storms is the<br />
State Capital Kolkata. Contiguous with Kolkata proper is a large urban area that includes what is<br />
called the Greater Kolkata, including the relatively newly developed township of Bidhan Nagar (also<br />
called Salt Lake) <strong>and</strong> the upcoming Rajarhat development area. Presently, the Kolkata Municipal<br />
Corporation Area measures around 187.33 sq. km. According to the 2001 Census, the population of<br />
this region is around 45,80,544 <strong>and</strong> the area is divided into 15 Boroughs <strong>and</strong> 141 wards. According<br />
to historical according, Kolkata developed around three villages – Sutanuti, Kolkata, <strong>and</strong> Gobindapur.<br />
These villages occupied the following present day regional demarcations:<br />
CHAPTER 3<br />
Sutanuti<br />
Kolkata<br />
Gobindapur<br />
Chitpur, Baghbazar, Sobhabazar & Hatkhola<br />
Dharmatala, Bowbazar, Simla, Janbazar<br />
Hastings, Maidan & Bhowanipur<br />
The newer additions to the Kolkata municipality are the following:<br />
North<br />
South<br />
East<br />
Sinthi, Cossipore & Gughudanga<br />
Tollygunge, Khidderpore & Behala<br />
Salt Lake , Beliaghata & Topsia<br />
The city on the west is bound by the river Hooghly.<br />
As such, an intense rainfall as during a tropical cyclone over this region means a lot of runoff since<br />
much of the areas has been paved with little or no scope for natural infiltration. Ironically, the terrain<br />
of the l<strong>and</strong> slopes from the west, at the edge of the river Hooghly, towards the east. Further east are<br />
the scattered salty marsh l<strong>and</strong>s crisscrossed by the different tidal streams <strong>and</strong> channels that are<br />
connected to the Bay of Bengal to the south. The important creeks here are the Matla, Bidyadhari,<br />
Kultigong, Ichhamati, Raimangal, etc. Of course, a small portion of the city, mainly to the south <strong>and</strong><br />
closer to the river Hooghly drains to the west. However, whether the eastern tidal creeks, or the river<br />
Hooghly to the west, both are prone to water level variations of the ocean: the Bay of Bengal, to be<br />
precise. This rise of water levels in the rivers is due to either only tidal variations or that coupled with