Cyclonic Resilience and Disaster Mitigation: Analysing the North Andhra–Odisha Coast Vulnerability

As the Bay of Bengal prepares for the potential landfall of a cyclonic system near the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coast by October 28, 2026, the event once again brings into sharp focus the climate-induced vulnerability of the Indian East Coast. Tropical cyclones are common features of the post-monsoon season in this region, driven by the unique bathymetry and thermodynamic conditions of the Bay of Bengal, which often result in high-intensity storm surges and widespread coastal erosion. From a disaster management perspective, this development serves as a critical test for the existing institutional mechanisms, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA). The primary challenge lies in the 'last-mile' connectivity of early warning systems and the effective implementation of evacuation protocols in low-lying coastal tracts. Frequent cyclonic activity in this zone necessitates a shift from purely reactive disaster response to proactive, long-term climate-resilient infrastructure planning, such as the construction of cyclone shelters, the restoration of mangrove buffers, and the enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.