Natural Hazards | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Introduction

• Andhra Pradesh faces various natural hazards such as cyclones, storm surges, floods, and droughts. The state experiences a moderate to severe intensity cyclone making landfall approximately every two to three years. About 44 percent of the state's territory is vulnerable to tropical storms and associated risks. Cyclones typically develop during the pre-monsoon (April to May) and post-monsoon (October to December) seasons, with November being particularly active.
• Tragically, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed some of the deadliest cyclones in recent history. In October 1971 and November 1977, two cyclones struck, each causing around 10,000 fatalities. The super cyclone in Odisha in 1999 also inflicted significant damage to life and property.
• Certain coastal areas, especially between Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam, are particularly susceptible to storm surges. However, vulnerability to storm surges varies along the Indian coastline.
• Moreover, regions adjacent to coastal districts, prone to drought, are also at risk of flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall induced by cyclonic depressions. In addition to cyclones, monsoon depressions over the Bay of Bengal can cause heavy to very heavy rains, leading to floods in inland rivers between June and September, affecting parts of Andhra Pradesh along with other regions in north and central India.

Floods

• The inadequate capacity of rivers to contain high flows from upper catchment areas, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, often results in flooding in central and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The region primarily encompasses major river basins of Godavari, Krishna, and minor basins of Nagavali and Vamsadhara to the north, as well as the Pennar basin to the south. When storms or cyclones pass over these river basins in quick succession, severe floods ensue.
• Several factors contribute to this flooding issue. These include the silting of riverbeds, which reduces the carrying capacity of river channels, beds, and banks, resulting in alterations to river courses. Other factors such as landslides obstructing flow, synchronization of floods in main and tributary rivers, and retardation due to tidal effects further compound the problem.
• In deltaic regions, flood problems arise from various causes, including the flatter slope of drains and backflow due to tides. These factors collectively contribute to the vulnerability of delta areas to flooding in Andhra Pradesh.

Cyclones

• Almost half of the storms in the Bay of Bengal intensify into severe cyclones, often causing storm surges.
• Low-lying coastal areas are prone to extensive flooding and intrusion of seawater far inland.
• The high population density, infrastructure, and economic activities along the coast increase vulnerability.
• Inadequate maintenance of flood protection systems, drains, and embankments worsens the impact.

Major Impact of Cyclones

• Loss of lives, injuries, and health issues like epidemics and PTSD.
• Loss of habitat.
• Damage to crops, agricultural fields, and cattle.
• Disruption of public utilities and harm to the ecosystem.

Drought

• Drought-prone districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana include Chittoor, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda. 
• These districts have experienced drought 20 times in the last 40 years, 10 times in the past 20 years, 5 times in the last decade, and 3 times in the past 5 years. Major drought years include 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2004. The recurring droughts have severely impacted the states' GDP.

Tsunami

• Andhra Pradesh boasts a coastline stretching 1,030 kilometers, making it the second-largest coastline in India after Gujarat and the longest on the East Coast. The coastal area spans 92,906 square kilometers across nine districts with a population of 2.87 crores. On the morning of December 26, 2004, tsunami tidal waves, ranging from 2 to 6 meters high, struck the Andhra Pradesh coast. 
• The most affected areas were Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari, and West Godavari Districts, where many individuals were washed away or otherwise impacted. The tidal waters inundated numerous coastal villages, affecting 380 villages with a combined population of 2,11,670. The total damages across the state were estimated at Rs 317.16 crores, with the fisheries sector suffering the most significant losses.

Earthquake

Earthquakes are natural disasters that can have devastating effects on communities. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, several significant earthquake events have been recorded in history:

• Vizianagaram (1917 - 5.5 RS)
• Ongole (1967 - 5.4 RS)
• Bhadrachalam (1969 - 5.7 RS)

Key Elements of Earthquake Contingency Plan

• Seismic activity in India
• Earthquakes in Andhra Pradesh
• Action Plan for earthquakes in AP
• Understanding the visual cues during an earthquake
• Recommended actions to take during an earthquake
• Recovery and rehabilitation efforts post-earthquake
• Providing non-numerical advisory designs
• Implementing retrofitting strategies for earthquake-proofing

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (AP SDMA)

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (AP SDMA) was established under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Rules 2007. It serves as the primary agency for disaster management within the state.
The AP SDMA operates with two main objectives:

• Developing and updating plans and strategies to manage various types of disasters as preparatory measures
• Executing projects to repair and reinforce infrastructure damaged by disasters in the aftermath

District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

• The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) works at the district level to ensure effective disaster preparedness and response. 
• It plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters.

Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Rules 2007

• According to the regulations of the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Rules 2007, the establishment of the State Disaster Management Authority (SMDA) is required.
• At the district level, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is set up with the District Collector serving as the Chairperson.
• The DDMA composition includes:
• The District Collector and Magistrate as the Chairperson by virtue of the position.
• The Chairperson of the ZillaParishad of the district serves as the Co-Chairperson.
• The Superintendent of Police of the district is a member by virtue of the position.
• The Chief Executive Officer of the District Authority is the Joint Collector of the District, who also acts as a Member and Convener.
• The Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is a member by virtue of the position.
• The Chief Executive Officer of the ZillaParishad of the district is a member by virtue of the position.
• The District Medical and Health Officer of the district is a member by virtue of the position.