3. WHICH COUNTRY NAMED THE CYCLONE AS HUDHUD?
• Cyclonic storms rising in the North Indian Ocean are named by the
Indian Meteorological Department.
• In the Indian Ocean region, 8 countries (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, and Thailand) started the
process of giving the name to cyclonic storms since 2004 on the
initiative of India.
• The storm has been named after the national bird of Israel. The
name was suggested by Oman.
4. ORIGIN
Hudhud originated from a low pressure system that formed under
the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation in the Andaman
Sea on October 6.
8. HUDHUD ON OCTOBER 12, 2014
• Hudhud crossed the coast of Andhra Pradesh at the noon
of October 12, 2014 over Visakhapatnam, with winds
exceeding 185 km/h (115 mph).
12. • Vizag’s only Biodiversity Park which used to house more
than 1,500 species of flora has been left utterly destroyed
by the cyclone Hudhud
• At least 50,000-80,000 trees spread across 625 acres of
Zoo park were destroyed
14. LOSS OF PROPERTY
• The Indian Navy suffered a loss of Rs 2,000 crore due to the
severe cyclonic storm Hudhud.
• Vizag Steel Plant, the biggest public-sector enterprise,
suffered damages of Rs 340 crore. The plant was also losing
daily Rs 40 crore due to the loss of production.
• Vizag Airport suffered a loss of Rs 500 crore. The airport's
roof was blown away while its communication network
collapsed.
• 40,000 electricity poles were damaged in Vizag.
• Total Damages were estimated to be 21908 crore by the
Andhra state government.
15. RESCUE OPERATIONS BY NDRF AND SDRF
• Reportedly, thousands of members of the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force
(SDRF), and the fire services, were sent to coastal areas to
prepare for search and rescue operations and assist with
evacuations.
• NDRF teams also organized drinking water supplies, food
distribution and provision of other basic amenities.
17. LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM HUDHUD
• Mangroves plantations along the coast and the thick tree cover on
the hills used to protect the city in the past from the vagaries of
cyclones.
• Cyclone shelters need to be maintained in a state of readiness.
• Gram sabhas in villages can play a crucial role in facing calamities.
If fallen trees could be cleared along many lanes in the city within
five days after the cyclone, the credit should go to self-help
groups and some NGOs.
• The government should, therefore, involve civil society as a part of
any disaster management effort in the future.
