Disasters in Andhra Pradesh

What to remember

• Andhra Pradesh has one of the longest coastlines in India, so cyclones, storm surges, floods and coastal erosion are its main hazards. Rayalaseema faces drought, and heat waves and lightning affect many parts.
• The Bay of Bengal produces most cyclones that hit AP, especially in the post-monsoon months (October and November). The 1977 Divi Seema cyclone is the best-known historic disaster.
• APSDMA coordinates state-level warning, preparedness and response, supported by IMD, INCOIS, cyclone shelters and district teams.

Why AP is hazard-prone

AP lies on the east coast of the Indian peninsula, open to the Bay of Bengal. Warm water, a shallow shelf and the funnel-like shape of the northern Bay make storm surges high. The deltas of the Godavari and Krishna are low and flat, so flood water and sea water spread far. The interior, especially Rayalaseema, lies in a rain-shadow area and gets low and uncertain rainfall. Summer temperatures are high in the plains, and thunderstorm activity in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons causes frequent lightning.

Cyclones

Tropical cyclones form over the Bay of Bengal, mostly as depressions that strengthen over warm water. Two seasons matter: pre-monsoon (April-May) and, more dangerous for AP, post-monsoon (October-November). The main dangers are strong wind, heavy rain and storm surge, a rise of sea level pushed onshore by the cyclone. Storm surge, rather than wind, causes most deaths in coastal disasters.

The IMD uses colour-coded alerts: green (no action), yellow (be aware), orange (be prepared) and red (take action). It also classifies storms by wind speed, from depression and deep depression up to cyclonic storm, severe, very severe, extremely severe and super cyclonic storm.

Documented events (only well-known ones are listed):

• Divi Seema cyclone, November 1977: a severe cyclone with a very high storm surge hit the Divi Seema delta area on the Krishna coast. It caused very heavy loss of life and livestock, and is the deadliest cyclone in AP's modern memory. It led to major relief work and later to coastal protection and warning efforts.
• Hudhud, October 2014: a very severe cyclone that made landfall at Visakhapatnam and badly damaged the city, its greenery and its power and communication networks.
• Titli, 2018: hit the northern coast around Srikakulam with heavy damage to coconut and cashew plantations.
• Michaung, December 2023: a cyclone that brought heavy rain and flooding to the southern coastal area.

The Visakhapatnam cyclone warning centre of IMD is a key warning office for the Bay of Bengal.

Floods

The Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Vamsadhara, Nagavali and smaller streams flood in the monsoon. Reasons include heavy rain in the catchment, release from dams, cyclone-driven rain, sedimentation and blocked drains. Urban flooding is a growing problem because of encroachment of canals and poor drainage. Notable events include the Krishna and Tungabhadra floods of 2009 and the flash flooding of the Budameru stream near Vijayawada.

Flood management combines structural measures (dams and reservoirs, embankments, flood banks, channel improvement) and non-structural measures (flood forecasting, flood plain zoning, warnings, insurance). The Central Water Commission and the state irrigation department issue flood forecasts.

Drought

Drought is a slow-onset hazard. It is classified as meteorological (low rainfall), hydrological (low stream and groundwater levels), agricultural (crops fail) and socio-economic. Rayalaseema is the main drought-prone area. Anantapur is among the driest parts of India, with low and erratic rainfall. Dryland crops such as groundnut and millets suffer, and drinking water shortages follow.

Responses include watershed development, farm ponds, drip and sprinkler irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, crop insurance, rural employment works (MGNREGS), and water transfer through irrigation projects.

Coastal erosion

Waves, storms, sea-level rise, sand mining and the blocking of sediment by dams and harbours remove beach material. Several stretches of the AP coast, including Uppada and parts of Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam coasts, have lost land. Protection methods include sea walls, groynes, artificial reefs, beach nourishment and, best of all as a natural defence, mangroves and shelterbelt plantations. The Godavari mangroves around Coringa and the Krishna delta forests reduce wave energy. The 2004 tsunami also reached the AP coast.

Heat waves

A heat wave is a spell of abnormally high temperature. IMD declares a heat wave in the plains when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius and is several degrees above normal, and also when the temperature itself is very high. Coastal and inland AP face heat waves in April to June, and humid heat makes them more dangerous. Heat stroke is the main cause of death.

State action includes heat action plans, early alerts, drinking water points, shaded rest areas, changed working hours for outdoor workers and public advice on keeping cool and drinking water.

Lightning

Lightning kills many people in India each year, and farm workers in AP are among the common victims, especially during the first rains of the pre-monsoon and monsoon. Warnings are sent to mobile phones by APSDMA, based on real-time lightning detection. Safety advice: go indoors or into a pucca building or vehicle, avoid standing under isolated trees, stay away from water and metal poles, and do not use fixed-line phones. Lightning conductors on tall buildings protect structures.

Early warning and shelters

• IMD provides cyclone, rain, heat wave and thunderstorm warnings.
• INCOIS, Hyderabad, provides tsunami and storm surge warnings, and ocean state forecasts.
• Central Water Commission provides flood forecasts.
• APSDMA relays alerts to the districts, to the public by SMS, sirens, TV and radio, and to fishermen.
• Multi-purpose cyclone shelters are built on higher ground along the coast. They serve as schools or community halls in normal times. Programmes supported by national and international funds have built shelters, coastal embankments, and underground cabling.
• Fishermen warnings and boat recall systems keep sea-going fishermen safe.

The role of APSDMA

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority is the state authority required under the Disaster Management Act. The Chief Minister is its chairperson. It prepares the State Disaster Management Plan, coordinates departments, issues alerts, supports District Disaster Management Authorities, and runs the State Emergency Operations Centre. SDRF teams do rescue work. NDRF teams are called when needed, and the armed forces assist in major events.

Vulnerable groups and livelihoods

Coastal fishing families live in low-lying hamlets and depend on boats and nets, so cyclones destroy both home and income. Farmers in the delta lose standing crops to floods and salt-water intrusion. Aquaculture ponds, coconut and banana groves, and cashew plantations are easily damaged by cyclone winds. In Rayalaseema, small farmers face repeated crop failure, debt and distress migration in dry years. Outdoor workers, such as farm labourers and construction workers, face heat and lightning risk. Older people and children are at special risk in heat waves.

Because of this, relief in AP covers crop and livelihood loss, not only deaths and house damage. Crop insurance, input subsidy, boat and net replacement, and restoration of power and roads form part of recovery.

Lessons and good practice

• Early evacuation before landfall has sharply cut deaths in recent cyclones, compared with 1977.
• Clear and local-language messaging to fishermen and villagers works best.
• Power and telecom restoration plans help recovery after strong winds.
• Green belts and mangroves reduce surge height and wind damage.
• Safe building with raised plinths and strong roofs improves survival.
• Drain and canal maintenance lowers urban flood losses.

Exam traps

• Storm surge vs wind: surge causes most coastal deaths.
• Divi Seema: the 1977 cyclone, not a recent one. It struck the Krishna delta coast.
• Hudhud: landfall at Visakhapatnam, not Chennai or Odisha.
• Rayalaseema vs coast: drought belongs to Rayalaseema. Cyclones belong to the coast.
• IMD vs INCOIS: IMD for cyclones and weather. INCOIS for tsunami and ocean warnings.
• Structural vs non-structural: an embankment is structural. A flood forecast is non-structural.
• Mangroves: natural, not engineered, coastal defence.
• APSDMA vs DDMA: state-level body versus district-level body.

One-liners

• 1. The Bay of Bengal feeds most cyclones that hit AP.
• 2. October and November are the main cyclone months for AP.
• 3. The 1977 Divi Seema cyclone caused a very high storm surge.
• 4. Hudhud hit Visakhapatnam in 2014.
• 5. Rayalaseema is the drought-prone region.
• 6. Anantapur is among the driest areas of India.
• 7. Multi-purpose cyclone shelters double as schools or community halls.
• 8. INCOIS at Hyderabad gives tsunami warnings.
• 9. Godavari mangroves near Coringa lower wave energy.
• 10. APSDMA is chaired by the Chief Minister.
• 11. Colour codes for IMD alerts are green, yellow, orange and red.
• 12. Lightning victims are often farm workers in open fields.

Practice questions

1. Which water body is the source of most cyclones that hit Andhra Pradesh?

   1. Gulf of Mannar
   2. Indian Ocean near Africa
   3. Arabian Sea
   4. Bay of Bengal
   Answer

   D. Bay of Bengal

   Most AP cyclones form over the Bay of Bengal.

2. Which months are the main cyclone season for the AP coast?

   1. October and November
   2. January and February
   3. July and August
   4. March only
   Answer

   A. October and November

   The post-monsoon period is the most dangerous for AP.

3. The Divi Seema cyclone is linked to which delta area?

   1. Narmada estuary
   2. Mahanadi delta
   3. Cauvery delta
   4. Krishna delta
   Answer

   D. Krishna delta

   Divi Seema is the Krishna delta coast.

4. Which cyclone made landfall at Visakhapatnam and badly damaged the city?

   1. Phailin
   2. Nargis
   3. Ockhi
   4. Hudhud
   Answer

   D. Hudhud

   Hudhud struck Visakhapatnam and its greenery and networks.

5. Which part of AP is the main drought-prone region?

   1. Godavari delta
   2. Rayalaseema
   3. Krishna delta
   4. Srikakulam coast
   Answer

   B. Rayalaseema

   Rayalaseema is in a rain-shadow area with low rainfall.

6. Which AP area is among the driest parts of India?

   1. Kakinada
   2. Visakhapatnam
   3. Rajahmundry
   4. Anantapur
   Answer

   D. Anantapur

   Anantapur gets low and erratic rainfall.

7. What causes most deaths in coastal cyclone disasters?

   1. Lightning
   2. Hailstones
   3. Dust
   4. Storm surge
   Answer

   D. Storm surge

   A surge pushes sea water inland and drowns people.

8. Which agency issues tsunami and ocean state warnings from Hyderabad?

   1. CWC
   2. NRSC
   3. INCOIS
   4. IMD
   Answer

   C. INCOIS

   INCOIS provides ocean information services.

9. Which Indian body issues cyclone warnings?

   1. National Institute of Disaster Management
   2. India Meteorological Department
   3. Central Water Commission
   4. Survey of India
   Answer

   B. India Meteorological Department

   IMD is responsible for weather and cyclone warnings.

10. Which colour alert from IMD means 'take action'?

    1. Green
    2. Blue
    3. Yellow
    4. Red
    Answer

    D. Red

    Red means action is needed; orange means be prepared.

11. Which colour alert from IMD means 'be prepared'?

    1. Green
    2. Orange
    3. Yellow
    4. Red
    Answer

    B. Orange

    Orange asks people to be prepared; yellow means be aware.

12. Who is the chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority?

    1. The Revenue Minister
    2. The Chief Secretary
    3. The Chief Minister
    4. The Governor
    Answer

    C. The Chief Minister

    The Act makes the Chief Minister chair of the SDMA.

13. Multi-purpose cyclone shelters in coastal AP are normally used as

    1. Warehouses
    2. Schools or community halls
    3. Police stations
    4. Hospitals only
    Answer

    B. Schools or community halls

    They serve the community in normal times and as refuge in cyclones.

14. Which natural feature along the Godavari delta helps reduce wave energy?

    1. Salt flats of Kutch
    2. Sand dunes of Rajasthan
    3. Mangroves at Coringa
    4. Coral reefs of Lakshadweep
    Answer

    C. Mangroves at Coringa

    Mangrove forests act as a natural coastal barrier.

15. Which is a non-structural flood management measure?

    1. Raising a flood bank
    2. Building a reservoir
    3. Channel widening
    4. Flood forecasting and warning
    Answer

    D. Flood forecasting and warning

    Forecasts and zoning are non-structural; the rest are physical works.

16. Which is a structural flood management measure?

    1. Flood plain zoning
    2. Flood insurance
    3. Public awareness drives
    4. Embankments
    Answer

    D. Embankments

    Embankments are physical structures.

17. Which is the main danger of lightning for rural AP?

    1. Deaths among farm workers in open fields
    2. Damage to coastal erosion walls
    3. Damage to sea ports
    4. Loss of mangroves
    Answer

    A. Deaths among farm workers in open fields

    Open fields and heavy rain make workers vulnerable.

18. Which advice is correct during lightning?

    1. Stay in an open field
    2. Go indoors or into a pucca building
    3. Use a corded phone
    4. Stand under an isolated tree
    Answer

    B. Go indoors or into a pucca building

    Staying under shelter is safest; isolated trees and open areas are dangerous.

19. Which cyclone brought damage to coconut and cashew plantations around Srikakulam?

    1. Michaung
    2. Laila
    3. Titli
    4. Hudhud
    Answer

    C. Titli

    Titli struck the northern coast and plantations suffered.

20. Heat waves in AP are most common in which season?

    1. April to June
    2. December to January
    3. August to September
    4. November
    Answer

    A. April to June

    Peak summer is the heat wave period.

21. Which cause does NOT contribute to coastal erosion?

    1. Sand mining
    2. Mangrove planting
    3. Sea level rise
    4. Storm waves
    Answer

    B. Mangrove planting

    Mangroves protect the coast; the others remove sand.

22. Why is northern Bay of Bengal prone to high storm surge?

    1. Absence of rivers
    2. Very deep water near the coast
    3. Shallow shelf and funnel-shaped coast
    4. Cold currents
    Answer

    C. Shallow shelf and funnel-shaped coast

    Shallow water and a funnel coast heap up water as it moves in.

23. Which type of drought is declared when crops fail because of soil moisture shortage?

    1. Socio-economic drought
    2. Hydrological drought
    3. Meteorological drought
    4. Agricultural drought
    Answer

    D. Agricultural drought

    Agricultural drought concerns soil moisture and crops.

24. Which drought type refers to low rainfall alone?

    1. Agricultural
    2. Hydrological
    3. Meteorological
    4. Economic
    Answer

    C. Meteorological

    It is defined by a rainfall deficit.

25. Which of these is a drought response measure?

    1. Lightning conductors
    2. Watershed development and farm ponds
    3. Sea walls
    4. Cyclone shelters
    Answer

    B. Watershed development and farm ponds

    Water conservation and farm ponds help dryland farmers.

26. Which river flows in AP and is part of the flood-prone basins?

    1. Vamsadhara
    2. Chambal
    3. Narmada
    4. Ganga
    Answer

    A. Vamsadhara

    Vamsadhara flows in north coastal AP and floods in the monsoon.

27. The 2004 tsunami that reached the AP coast originated from

    1. A river flood
    2. A volcanic eruption in Himalaya
    3. A cyclone
    4. An undersea earthquake
    Answer

    D. An undersea earthquake

    The tsunami was triggered by a very large undersea earthquake.

28. Which organisation issues flood forecasts for rivers?

    1. Survey of India
    2. NRSC
    3. INCOIS
    4. Central Water Commission
    Answer

    D. Central Water Commission

    CWC forecasts river levels and floods.

29. Which warning method reaches fishermen at sea?

    1. Hospital notices
    2. School bells
    3. Boat recall alerts and coastal warnings
    4. Postal letters
    Answer

    C. Boat recall alerts and coastal warnings

    Fishermen are given alerts and told to return to harbour.

30. The aim of a heat action plan is to

    1. Reduce deaths and illness from heat
    2. Control floods
    3. Block cyclone winds
    4. Increase crop yield
    Answer

    A. Reduce deaths and illness from heat

    It gives early alerts, water points and changed work hours.

31. An important reason for urban flooding in AP towns is

    1. Excess forest cover
    2. Encroachment of drains and canals
    3. Too many lakes
    4. Low population
    Answer

    B. Encroachment of drains and canals

    Blocked drains and encroachment stop water from draining.

32. Which body prepares the State Disaster Management Plan for AP?

    1. NDRF
    2. Planning Commission
    3. INCOIS
    4. APSDMA
    Answer

    D. APSDMA

    The state authority prepares the plan under the Act.

33. Statements about AP hazards: 1. Cyclones mainly affect the coast. 2. Drought is mainly a problem of Rayalaseema.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

34. Statements: 1. Storm surge causes most deaths in coastal cyclones. 2. Wind alone causes most such deaths.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Surge is the main killer; statement 2 is wrong.

35. Statements about warning agencies: 1. IMD issues cyclone warnings. 2. INCOIS issues tsunami warnings.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are right.

36. Statements about mangroves: 1. They reduce wave energy. 2. They increase coastal erosion.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Mangroves protect the coast, so statement 2 is wrong.

37. Statements: 1. The Chief Minister chairs APSDMA. 2. The District Collector chairs APSDMA.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The Collector chairs the district authority only.

38. Statements about heat waves: 1. They occur mainly in April to June. 2. Humid heat makes them more dangerous.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

39. Statements about lightning safety: 1. Taking shelter in a pucca building is safe. 2. Standing under a lone tree is safe.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    A lone tree attracts strikes.

40. Statements about flood control: 1. Embankments are structural measures. 2. Flood forecasting is a structural measure.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Forecasting is non-structural.

41. Statements about coastal erosion: 1. Sand mining can worsen it. 2. Sea walls are a natural defence.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Sea walls are engineered; mangroves are natural.

42. Statements about Divi Seema cyclone: 1. It brought a very high storm surge. 2. It struck Rayalaseema.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    It hit the Krishna delta coast, not Rayalaseema.

43. Statements about cyclone shelters: 1. They are built on higher ground near the coast. 2. They are used only during cyclones and never otherwise.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    They serve as schools or halls in normal times.

44. Statements about drought: 1. It is a slow-onset hazard. 2. Watershed development can reduce its impact.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

45. Statements about Hudhud: 1. It made landfall near Visakhapatnam. 2. It was a tsunami.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Hudhud was a cyclone.