Overview of Cyclone Montha's Impact on Odisha

Cyclone Montha hit the eastern coast on October 28, 2025, affecting Odisha and its neighboring regions. The cyclone caused significant damage, including flooding villages and flattening fields.

Landfall Details

• Made landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
• Winds ranged from 100-110 kmph.
• Traversed through Odisha's Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput districts, and parts of Telangana before weakening.

Initial Impacts

• Extensive crop and horticultural losses reported.
• Demonstrated Odisha's preparedness through the swift evacuation of thousands.

Odisha's Cyclone Vulnerability

Odisha's 575-kilometre coastline is one of the world's six most cyclone-prone regions, experiencing nearly 260 cyclones in a century.

Significant Past Cyclones

• 1999 super-cyclone: Catastrophic damage.
• Phailin (2013): Losses around ₹9,000 crore, affecting agriculture and livestock heavily.
• Titli (2018), Fani (2019), and Yaas (2021): Notable cyclones impacting the region.

Economic and Social Challenges

Cyclones cause immediate economic shock, with long-lasting impacts on livelihoods. The aftermath includes income losses for farmers, traders, and disruptions in food supply chains.

Specific Examples

• After Cyclone Fani: An estimated ₹3,000 crore damage to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries and loss of nearly seven crore rural working days.
• Post-storm challenges: Farmers need to repay loans and restore agriculture, while fishers must replace essential equipment.

Progress in Disaster Management

Odisha has made significant strides in saving lives through disaster management but still faces challenges in livelihood recovery.

Disaster Management Evolution

• Establishment of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
• Enhanced cyclone shelters, early warning systems, and mass evacuations.
• Reduced fatalities significantly from past cyclones.

Future Resilience and Livelihood Recovery

Moving forward, Odisha must focus on rebuilding livelihoods along with saving lives.

Strategies for Resilience

• Prompt, simplified claims for crop and fishery insurance.
• Emergency credit and loan moratoria to prevent distress sales.
• Expanding MGNREGS for infrastructure rebuilding.
• Nature-based protection: Utilizing mangroves and wetlands for ecological and livelihood security.

Financial System Adaptation

• Diversified financial resources: Contingency funds, regional insurance pools, and flexible central transfers.
• Direct resource channeling to smallholders and coastal communities.

Note: The author teaches economics at ICFAI School of Social Sciences, IFHE. Views expressed are personal.