Historical Trend of Cyclone over the Bay of Bengal and People’s Perception about Coping with Cyclone in Kakdwip Block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Climate change contributes to a rise in the magnitude and frequency of cyclones, which can negatively impact human society. People’s awareness and preparedness are very crucial to reduced damage caused by cyclones. The present study delineated the cyclone trend over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) with special reference to the impact of major cyclones in West Bengal and explored the indigenous local traditional coping strategies to cyclone in Kakdwip block of South 24 Parganas District in West Bengal. A total of 110 respondents were selected through random sampling and data were collected using a primary survey. The result of the study highlights that the trend of yearly cyclone frequency over the Bay of Bengal from 1891 to 2019 has increased, but the severe cyclone frequency trend has slightly decreased. The most destructive cyclone on the eastern coast of India is Odisha super cyclone (1999). Cyclone AILA and AMPHAN both caused tremendous damage to West Bengal in the last three decades. The findings indicated that before the cyclone, the local people have taken various coping measures such as they repaired their house (33.6%), used of box for storing valuable assets (70.9%), temporarily migrated to a safe place (25.5%), took livestock to a safe place (30.9%), sold domestic animals (11.8%), stored dry food and water (76.4%) and saved money (78.2%). The result of the study also revealed that the local people have taken various coping strategies during cyclone like preventing strong support for outside door and windows (85.5%), switching off the electrical mains in the house (94.5%), reduced the consumption of meal (33.6%), listening radio for the weather update (81.1%) and passing the information to neighborhoods. Although, the Government has taken various measures to support the local people to cope with cyclones, more effective measures need to be followed to cope with cyclone in the block.