Odisha Case Study - Risks

Question 1

Rates of erosion has increased, why?

Answer 1

Through natural processes and human intervention.

Question 2

What is there an increasing concern about?

Answer 2

Storm surges and tsunamis as well as longer term threats from rising sea levels.

Question 3

The risk of…

Answer 3

Storm surges from tropical cyclones.

Climate change.

Question 4

Give an example of a cyclone that occurred?

Answer 4

Cyclone Phailin in October 2013 which struck near Gopalpur.
Wind speeds=200mph.
1 million evacuated.
44 died.
500,000 ha agricultural crops destroyed.
Economic loss of £700,000.
Ecoystem surrounding Chilika Lake will take years to recover.

Question 5

How has erosion tried to be stopped?

Answer 5

With hard engineering which removes important input of sediment that is needed to from beaches, dunes and barrier beaches.

Question 6

Name some of the findings from the 2011 Assessment Shoreline Change?

Answer 6

46.8% accretion - from north near deltas.
36.8% eroding - from south
14.4% stable.
Shoreline change significant at river mouths.

Question 7

What does Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Baleshwar have in common?

Answer 7

All have 50% higher accretion elsewhere due to mangroves.

Question 8

What was Odisha like 50 years ago?

Answer 8

It had an average of 5.1km mangroves.
Today 1.2km.
1999 super cyclone Kalina recorded no deaths where mangroves protected the coastline.