Odisha has been facing severe impact of climate change in the past few years. The state has been facing tropical cyclones, floods & sea erosion in six coastal districts. The intensity of cyclone has increased in India due to the increase in sea surface temperature.
So far 10 cyclones have hit the state in past 12 years. And now six coastal districts- Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri- are facing sea erosion. According to official data, out of about 480 km long coastal line, 267 km has witnessed sea erosion. The increase in sea level is responsible for the sea erosion.
In total 4069 hectares of land in the shoreline faced either accretion or sea erosion. Highest sea erosion or accretion was faced by the Kendrapara district, with 1058 hectares of its land facing sea erosion or accretion. It is the worst sea erosion district as 16 of its villages has already submerged in the sea due to rise in sea level. 247 people faced displacement due to the rise in sea level. Two villages of Ganjam district have also affected due to rise in sea level.
Cyclone Amphan
Cyclone Amphan was a extremely powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in West Bengal and Odisha in 2020. A total of 118 peoples died while it caused a damage of about $ 13.7 Billion USD. It displaced around 2.4 million peoples and was the largest source of displacement in 2020 in India alone.
Cyclone Yaas
Cyclone Yaas was another powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in West Bengal & Odisha in 2021. A total of 20 peoples died caused a damage of about $ 2.99 Billion USD. It displaced over 2.2 million peoples.
10 Cyclone in 12 Years, eroding coastline; Odisha Impacted by Climate Change ↗