OmkarTrimbakGadakh

BLS.LL.B- 3rdYear
Government Law College, Mumbai.
Email- omkargadakh35@gmail.com
Mobile no- 9028593921

Impact of the Cyclones on Economy of West Bengal and Its Legal

Perspective

Abstract:-

India is one of the greatest insecure country for natural hazards for floods, earthquakes,
famine and also mainly for cyclones. India is hit by many cyclones, however nine cyclones have
declared to be the most dangerous. Cyclones causes many deaths, damages to private and public
properties and their infrastructure and the problems for livelihood.

The widespread damage due to cyclone is on economy. Economy of that region get
collapsed and it is very difficult to built huge economy again. The demand- supply chain got
broken, income losses, effect on tourism, agricultural income losses. cyclone is the most
common natural disaster which causes economic losses.

Introduction:-

In India, there are thirteen coastal states/ Union Territories which having eighty four
coastal district . There are four states which includes Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal. One union territory Pondicherry on the east cost and Gujarat on the west cost are most
vulnerable to cyclone disasters. There are some effective measures for disaster management of
cyclones. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Government of India had organized the
National Workshop on “Developing Strategy for Cyclone Mitigation in Costal and Island
Regions of India” in 2003. The MHA decided to put place the ‘National Cyclone Risk Mitigation
Project’ (NCRMP).

The National Disaster Management Authority is formed in 2005 and in 2006 the management of
project is transferred to NDMA. This is the first effort at national level implemented through
World Bank assistant. Cyclone warning are provided by the India Meteorological Department
(IMD) from the Area Cyclone Warning Centers (ACWCs) at Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.

Till today there have been sixteen cyclones were done in West Bengal. Amphan is the
biggest cyclone in West Bengal’s history which came in May 2020. Cyclone caused damages
from heavy strong wind and affected huge loss of property and life. In west Bengal, cyclones
caused rise of sea level particularly in costal areas and affected coastline cities such as south
portion, Kolkata, Pargana district, Howrah, Hooghly were mainly worst affected by cyclone. At
that time in West Bengal, more than 5 lakhs people were evacuated. UN also declared that
cyclone Amphane was more dangerous than other cyclones .

According to one Economic Researcher, While examining the effect of natural disaster,
cyclone is the second most common natural disaster which causes economic loses Rs.95,914
crore over period of 2009-2019.

Impact on Economy:-

The economy of West Bengal is sixth largest state economy in India. The state is mainly
dependent on agriculture and medium sized industry. After the cyclone such earning sector
become week and more time is require to recover from such disaster.

As seen above cyclone affects many sectors of economy but it also build fiscal pressure on the
central and state governments resources by increasing spending on disaster management
activities such as relief distribution, rehabilitation, evacuation.
 Previous year cyclone Bulbul losses 238 billion to the state. Currently Amphan in West
Bengal causes estimated approximatlyloss $13.2 billion which is the biggest loss in history to
state, according to source in the Indian state’s government.Amphan made huge landfall in May
2020 in coastal areas of West Bengal killed ninety eight people.

In 2019 cyclone fani is hit in coastal areas of West Bengal. The state government has
taken some precautionary measures to avoid calamitous incident. The Ministry of Health release
fund of RS. 235.50 crore to West Bengal.

Now due to Amphan in West Bengal had biggest impact on economy than previous
cyclones because of its effects in urban regions and natives of Kolkata and state government said
that it affected 60% of population of state. The Indian PM announced that the central government
would forward a $132 million as a relief package to affected people. The loss in capital of state
will have detrimental effect in foreign investments into state capital which has good growth of
242 percent from 2005-06 to 2017-18. West Bengal is one of the big producer state of mango
fruit. Its production is around 2 million ton, but due to Amphan there is destroy of trees and
causing big long loss for many future season.

Every time cyclones cause heavy damage to economy of West Bengal. But due to Corona
virus pandemic and cyclone Amphan causes biggest loss of economy of West Bengal’s history.
Amphan was most economically damaging than previous cyclones and there is already
restriction on human activities due to lockdown. The GSDP share of West Bengal to Indian GDP
is approximately 5.4% and roughly projects there is loss of $0.25 billion every day to state. Now
if we calculate losses for two month period the economic damage due to cyclone gives us
dangerous figure of about $28 billion. This amount is more than GDP values of some countries
and due to this the India will causing big economy loss.

The GDP of the West Bengal in 2019 is at top of the all states of India by achieving
12.58% during 2018-2019 as stated by Hon’ble Amit Mitra the finance minister of the West
Bengal. But it is difficult task for West Bengal to top again in all states of India this year due to
such disasters.

Legal perspective:-
 Ministry of Agriculture in March 1995, Under Department of Agriculture and
Cooperation established the National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM). Which is
upgraded after Disaster Management Act, 2005 is passed.

The steps also taken from United Nations the General Assembly for promote a global
culture and reduction of disaster The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)
celebrate every 13th October.

To framework the responsibilities of states and humanitarian agencies in disaster

management, there is a formation of International Disaster Response Laws (IDRL) which
focuses on legal problems come from the international response of non conflict related disaster.

The Indian Government has developed some guidelines for disaster management. In such
guidelines this includes livelihood, costal afforestation, coastal resources, Bio-shields, protection
of livestock, EIA assimilative capacity estimation and coastal zone management.

Due to increasing disasters in India the Disaster Management Act, 2005 passed by upper
house of parliament. The basic aim of Act is to provide for effective management of disaster and
matter connected there with and incidental thereto. This act provide a three tier structure of
Disaster Management in India at National and District lavels. The provision is made for NDMA,
SDMA, NES, NDRF, NIDM and disaster related funds are established.

Under Disaster Management Act, 2005 there is apex body called National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) whose head is Prime Minister and has power to make policies
and guidelines for disaster management. State Governments will extends necessary cooperation
to NDMA.

Under section 14 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, all State Government are
mandatedto establish a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), it consist of chairperson
who is Chief Minister of State and maximum eight members appointed by Chief Minister. The
Act also state that the Ministry of Government of India having administrative control over the
disaster.The function of SDMA is implementation of National as well as State Plan. Such a state
plan includes forms of disasters, measures for prevention of disaster.
 In the act it is also stated that guidelines given by National Authority and as deems
necessary are always followed by State Government and also allocate funds for prevention of
disaster.

Under section 44 of the act, it is given that there shall be constituted NDRF means
National Disaster Response Force. This force is formed because good response to threaten the
disaster. Like National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).There is also provision made for State
and district by establishing of funds by State Government called State Disaster Response Fund
(SDRF) and District Disaster Response Fund for district level. Mitigation funds can also be
establish by state and district.

There is only one state in India where such departmental structure is exists in all three
tiers of the administration is in West Bengal. The basic aim of the West Bengal Disaster
Management Department is formed to take some necessary measures like structures, resources,
capabilities and guiding principles for reducing disaster risk. The mission of the department is to
save lives of people and their property, avoid economical problems and to save environment and
to progress for the continuity of development. It works for promoting the economic welfare of
peoples in states and specially of women through various programs.

Due to natural calamities in state every year, the state government of West Bengal
decided to have comprehensive, protective Disaster Management Policy which reduces the loss
over social and economic development.

There is punishment provided for any officer or employee of state government if he

refuses to comply with direction given by central or state government. Special Power is given to
state government to make rules in particular matters. No court has jurisdiction other than HC and
SC to entertain any suit if act done by direction of central government, National Authority, State
Authority, District Authority in respect of power given by Act.

Conclusion:-

West Bengal is one of the dangerous state for natural disaster and particularly for
cyclones. Due to Bay of Bengal every year there is new challenges before state and coastal areas.
In West Bengal coast some severe cyclones occur in monsoon also. Due to such severe disasters,
the state has to face many challenges like economy, employment, evacuation etc. The biggest
effect of cyclone is on economy of state, which reduces per capita income of state and GSDP
also become less. After such big disaster more time is require for stable situation of state.

To protect and prevent state from disaster like cyclone some measures are taken by
Central Government and State Government. At International level also some stapes are taken by
United Nation by forming UNDRR. Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) this
organization also established by nine members of Asia. There is also formation of International
Disaster Response Laws (IDRL) which gives certain rules, laws and principles. Indian
Parliament also passed Disaster Management Act in 2005.

Thus there is some positive things for protection of West Bengal from cyclones such as
there is all three tire system of management authority. So we can hope that West Bengal will
soon be free from such vulnerable hazardous disasters.

References:-

1) Disaster Management Act, 2005

2) www.wbdma.gov.in

3)www.adpc.net

4)www.undrr.org

5)m.economictimes.com

6) The Hindu

7)CNN whether-22may 2020

8) The New Indian Express

9) https://ncrmp.gov.in

10) The Hindu-Business Line

11)www.orfonline.com

12) https://amssdelhi.gov.in

13) Law and policy of disaster management

14) Environmental Regulations and Legal Framework in India

15) National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India- Management of Cyclones