Socio-economical Impacts of ‘Aila’, A Case Study Based on Maipith Baikunthapur G.P., Kultali, South 24 Parganas

09/09/2016

PiuMandal*

Cyclone ‘Aila’ occurred in Sundarban region of West Bengal on 25^th May, 2009. Cyclone ‘Aila’ gave a devastated imprint on livelihood of people living in Sundarban deltaic regions. The most damaged districts were North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal. 

The discussion on the effects of ‘Aila’ is based on primary and secondary data source of Kultali Block, South 24 Parganas. ‘Aila’ cyclone gave a severe impact for the riverside areas. Coupling of strong storm surge and flooding condition make devastating condition for the river side areas. Most affected river side of Gram Panchayets, Kultali block shown in the following table:

            Table: 1. Affected river sides of different Gram Panchayets:

Sl. No.	Name of Gram Panchyat	Affected river sides
1	MaipithBaikunthapur	Binodpur, Nagenabad, Kishorimohanpur
2	GuguriaBhubaneswari	Old Bhubaneswari, Bhubaneswari Bazar
3	Gopalganj	Kaikhali, Madhnsadhapur
4	DeulbariDebipur	Deulbari, Shaymnagar
5	Merigunjg-II	Dongazora
6	KundakhaliGodabar	Pachuakhali

            

            Source: Block Development office, Kultali, 2014

Cyclone ‘Aila’ gave three types of impact:

• ·         Economic impact
• ·         Social impact
• ·         Ecological impact

Economic impact

95% of agricultural land was damaged in the study area due to ‘Aila’. Aman paddy as well as vegetable production at monsoon Season, 2009 was nil, due to increased salinity of land in all floodplain area. All ‘Betel leaf’ plants in flood affected areas were destroyed. All sweet water ponds, canals, fisheries were flooded by saline water. Due to collapse of cottage the family became homeless.

Aman paddy and vegetables during monsoon season in 2010-11 was less. In case of Maipith Baikunthapur G.P. aman paddy production was 2794.9956 kg/ hectors, near about 80% (According to Agricultural  Development office of  Kultli). In the year 2012-13 aman paddy production was optimum, beside pulses. Increase in production was also seen in case of boro paddy. As the agricultural land had recovered its fertility, agricultural production witnessed an increase. But in case of potato production it showed a marked decline. According to secondary data average potato production of Kultali Block was 22124.22 kg / hectare. In the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 average potato production were 18922.576 kg / hectare and 17250.339 kg / hectare respectively. Fishes, prawn, shrimps in Sundarban Rivers registered a decrease even after few months from ‘Aila’.  Most of the fishermen had chosen different occupations.

Social impact

Primary schools were affected by cyclonic storm and flood, such as uprooted asbestos, tin shed. Demand of safe drinking water increased severely after ‘Aila’ hit Sundarban.  All flood victims had stayed in school buildings. School remained close for at least two months. People mostly suffered with health problems like diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid and skin problems after.

Emigration of men, women and children increased. Some poor men migrated to other states like Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra for job. Women especially girl children became maid servant in cities like Kolkata, Bardhhaman etc. Boys got engaged as child labour in shops. Moreover, poor families migrated to Kolkata and took shelter in slum areas. Different social problems like sexually transmitted diseases, trafficking of children and physical, mental and sexual harassments were also increased. Middle class farmers, who stayed in villages,  started illegal collection of wood, honey and crabs from neighbouring forests for survival.

Ecological Impacts

Royal Bengal tiger, deer, crocodiles and many faunal species were feared to be drowned in ‘Aila’ surge and tried to move to safer place. Most of the mangrove forest remained water logged, depth of 2.4 meter (7.9ft). Conservationists and forest guards started a search operation on 29^th May, 2009. In the study area almost 70% of homestead gardens were flooded and 90% of green vegetation was damaged after this storm surge. All water sensitive flower and fruit planets died due to water logging.

All the respondents in the area argued that it would not be possible to produce vegetable in salinity contaminated field before two years and for fruit species they would have to wait for another three to four years.

Table 1: Death of some fruits trees and vegetation at study site

Tree Died	Fruit trees			Vegetables
	Local Name	English Name	Scientifics Name	Local Name	English Name	Scientifics Name
>2 days	Kathal	Jackfruit	Artocarpus Heterophllus	Lanka/ Morich	Chili	Capsicum Frutescens
	Pepe	Papaya	Carcia Papaya	Begun	Brinjal	SolanumMelongena
	Kala	Banana	Musa Sapientum	-	-	-
	Lebu	Lemon	Citrus Aurantifolia	-	-	-
7 days	Kamranga	Crambola	AverihoaCarambola	Derosh	Okra	Abelmoschus Eseulrntus
	-	-	-	Kochu	Aroid	ColocasiaEseulrntus
	-	-	-	Halud	Turmeric	Curcuma Longa
	-	-	-	Ada	Zinger	ZingiberOffcinale
<15  Days	Supari	Areca Nut	Areca Catechu	-	-	-
	Tetul	Tamarind	Tarindus India	-	-	-
Still Alive	Narikel	Coconut	CocosNucifera	-	-	-
	Aam	Mango	Mangifera Indica	-	-	-

Source: Primary Survey, 2014

There is no doubt that ‘Aila’ of 2009 resulted in hardship for many families or communities in Sundarban. Whatever difficult was the hardship and flood situation it was indeed an opportunity to learn from past errors and address the necessary changes. As a result seven flood centres were planned for future natural calamities like flood, cyclone etc. This flood centres would be contributed by the Prime Minister Relief Fund.

Table 2: Proposed flood centres for Kultali Block

Name of Gram Panchyat	Name of the flood centre
KundakhaliGodabar	1.        Panchukhali High School
Gopalgunj	2.        Sankijan F.P. School 3.        ShymNager F.P. School
GurguriaBhubaneswari	4.        MadhaPurbaGurguriaAdarshBidyapith
DeulbariDebipur	5.        KatamariChuramoni High School 6.        Karunamayei Girls High School
MaipithBaikunthapur	7.        Baikunthapur High School

       

Source: Block Development office, Kultali, 2014

The government recommendations are mainly focussed on necessary changes which incited for flood plain management, forecasting intense weather phenomena, prevention and mitigation measures, mobilisation of communityetc.Role of people and Public awareness is utmost important to manage any disaster risk.

Reference

• Douben, J.K.,2006,”Characteristics of river floods and flooding: A global overview”, 1985-2003,59:59-521.
• Carter,W Nick. 1991,”Dister Management-Dister Managers” Handbook, Manila, Philippines, Asian Development Bank Publication.
• Indian Meterological Department (IMD), “Sevsr Cyclonic ‘AILA’”, 2009.
• UNDP , Human Development Report, 2005.
• The IFRC-led Emergency Shelter Coordination Group, “ A Review of the Cyclone ‘Aila’ Response 2009” Dhaka October, 2009

*Student, 2013

Part time lecturer at Department of Geography, Women’s Christian College