CYCLONE EVACUATION AT THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC: A CASE STUDY IN KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL

Abstract

Evacuation of the vulnerable population to safety is an obvious solution in the face of an imminent cyclonic disturbance. Various studies have been carried out to evaluate the behavioural aspect of the population at risk during a storm in abroad conditions. Few studies have been conducted in Indian scenario. Numerous factors have contributed to an individuals’ decision to evacuate during a storm which include both household characteristics, shelter characteristics, source of information, etc. However no study has been conducted on the evacuation behaviour in case of a cyclone at the time of a pandemic which like a condition between the devil and the deep blue sea. Cyclone Amphan struck the eastern coast of India during the later part of May 2020. It was during this time that the cases of covid-19 had begun to rise in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. This thesis shows the results of a preliminary study conducted on the evacuation behaviour of population at some locations of Kolkata which were affected by the cyclone. Data showed type of order i.e. mandatory or voluntary, type of house and location of house in containment zone had impact on the evacuation behaviour. Presence of children, females and people above 60+ age group factors had less effect on the evacuation. Fear of theft, fear of covid-19 and faith in god were the major reasons for non-evacuation. A model was also tried to be developed but it did not converge owing to the small sample size and unique evacuation behaviour of the people. Larger dataset based on a vast study could however help in bringing out the clearer picture.