The area between Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam is prone to storm surges
A group of girls watch high tidal waves on the beach in Visakhapatnam on October 12 . (Photo: AFP/File)
Visakhapatnam: Despite being situated on the East coast of the country, Vizag has been lucky as far as cyclones are concerned.The history of cyclones in the district indicates that it as a less-vulnerable area with least chances for natural calamity.
As per reports, along the Andhra Pradesh coast, the area between Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam is prone to storm surges. The coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam is vulnerable to high surges along the East coast with up to 5.5-metre surges, Ongole with 4.5 metre, Kakinada with 3 metre while Visakhapatnam was placed at the lowest with 2.6 metre of possible surge.
Further, Nellore is highly vulnerable to disasters. It was at the receiving end of 11 severe and 21 moderate cyclones while Vizag has faced only three severe and seven moderate to normal cyclones since 1891.
The devastating tsunami of 2004 on the East coast had claimed around 25 lives in Prakasam district but the city was lucky and only some boats, catamarans and coastal structures were damaged.
The past few storms either veered away or weakened significantly before hitting the Visakhapatnam coast. Though the Visakhapatnam district has faced numerous storms in the years 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2010 and 2013, it has been lucky to not have witnessed significant human loss.
Last year, five cyclones developed over Bay of Bengal, Mahasen (May 10-16), Phailin (October 8-12), Helen (November 20-22), Lehar (November 23-28) and Madi (December 7-12). Of these, Phailin was the strongest. It caused some damage in Srikakulam and parts of Vizianagaram. Vizag, however, did not even receive any rainfall. Helen had hit the AP coast near Machilipatnam and Lehar lost steam to become a depression.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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