Cyclones may cast shadow onState’s industrialisation plans

‘Planned approach necessary because coastal areas are ecologically sensitive’

The government’s ambitious programme of developing 11 minor seaports is fraught with a serious threat from cyclones which hit Andhra Pradesh with unfailing regularity. If the grand vision of industrialisation of the coastal belt is to be realised, plans to mitigate the impact of cyclones and also floods have to be drafted and acted upon promptly, say experts.

It may be noted that the vast hinterland between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada has been targeted to be developed as a Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) and Chittoor and Prakasam districts were chosen for setting up National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ) in view of their potential for large-scale industrial growth.

These and other plans will be incomprehensive without the loss caused by natural calamities, particularly cyclones and floods, being factored in.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Vijayawada Zone Chairman V.V.M. Krishna told The Hindu that the state ought to have a well-planned approach to development of coastal areas because they are ecologically sensitive due to global climate changes. More importantly, cyclones are a regular cause of worry because they dislocate a huge number of fishermen, destroy fishing gear and marine produce and wreak havoc with the ports and harbours on which A.P is heavily dependent post-bifurcation for economic growth.

High risk zone

It is pertinent to mention here that the entire east coast from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal was identified by Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council of India (BMTPC) as high and very high damage risk zone(s) in terms of intensity and frequency of cyclones that strike them.

The Vulnerability Atlas of India prepared by BMTPC at the behest of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) points to the risk posed by cyclones. With nearly 975 km-long coast, A.P faces a formidable challenge in reducing impact of the twisters. The Arabian Sea was found to be relatively safe.

BMTPC Chief (Building Materials) J.K. Prasad said in a recent programme here that the only way to mitigate impact of cyclone was to use technologies and materials developed and promoted by the organization.