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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

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