Odisha's Cyclone Toll: Human Loss and Economic Impact

Over the past 12 years, Odisha has faced 12 cyclones, resulting in 147 deaths and Rs 19,529 crore in damages. Cyclone Titli in 2018 and Cyclone Fani in 2019 were the deadliest. The devastation included significant loss of livestock, housing, and farmland.

In a poignant statistic, 147 individuals have perished in 12 cyclones that lashed Odisha over a span of 12 years, as revealed by Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari in the assembly. Detailed in a written response to Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, these figures underscore the human cost of extreme weather events.

Highlighting the damage, Pujari noted that the state incurred a financial loss of Rs 19,529 crore due to these natural disasters. Cyclone Fani of 2019 and Cyclone Titli of 2018 were particularly destructive, claiming 68 and 73 lives respectively, and causing significant infrastructure damage.

Aside from the human toll, over 54 million livestock perished, and extensive damage was inflicted upon 8.4 lakh homes and 17 lakh hectares of farmland, emphasizing the catastrophic impact these cyclones have had on Odisha's economy and communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)