Andhra Pradesh better prepared for cyclones 12 years after Hudhud, say officials

Twelve years after Cyclone Hudhud made its landfall at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh is better equipped to face cyclones, with earlier forecasts, targeted alerts and a permanent response force, officials said on Tuesday, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Prakhar Jain, Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), said the State’s capability had improved “by leaps and bounds” since the cyclone struck on October 12, 2014. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) now shares the expected track, landfall area and intensity three to four days in advance, he said, and the State also draws on open-source models such as the European ECMWF. IMD radars at Visakhapatnam and Machilipatnam track the system.

Working with the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS), the APSDMA has pooled departmental databases, so that officials know where hospitals, vulnerable pregnant women, ration shops and habitations that are usually cut off are located, Mr. Jain said. Forecasts are overlaid on this data. The public can follow advisories on the AWARE platform at aware.ap.gov.in.

SACHET, developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), sends alerts by mobile tower location, reaching everyone in a zone whether or not the authorities hold their numbers. During the last cyclone, Montha, vibrational alerts were sent in select areas, backed by SMS, IVRS calls and announcements by tom-tom. Telecom providers station mobile communication vans in high-impact areas, and satellite phones have been issued to districts. After landfall, damage is assessed through satellite imagery and drones.

The State has about 220 multipurpose cyclone shelters. District Collectors, who head the District Disaster Management Authorities, convert schools and other buildings into relief camps as needed.

Eswara Rao Gade, Inspector, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Regional Response Centre, Visakhapatnam, said the force had a permanent camp in Visakhapatnam since 2015, under the 10th Battalion. Two teams of 35 personnel each remain ready, with boats and equipment. The NDRF has trained State Disaster Response Force personnel, Apada Mitra volunteers, and National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme cadets, and has conducted safety programmes in every high school in the city. Mr. Gade said the risk from cyclones had come down as mitigation, and the preparedness of stakeholders had improved.

Mr. Jain said the State had considerably improved its handling of floods. Lightning, which affects individuals rather than entire habitations, called for greater awareness and sharper forecasts, he said. The State is working with research institutions and, under an NDMA pilot, will install electric field meters to improve detection.

The United Nations, which observes the day on October 13, has framed this year’s theme, “Resilience Starts at Home”, around safe, affordable homes that can withstand hazards, a goal that depends on sound planning, building standards and community participation.

Mr. Jain said household awareness was equally important. “No matter the outside efforts, unless we are very well aware about the protocols that are to be followed when a warning or an alert is issued, it would hardly amount to action or visible impact,” he said. Basic precautions, such as staying away from trees and poles during lightning, would help reduce casualties, he added.