Maharashtra to build 85 cyclone shelters along west coast

Waves lash Marine Drive before Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall last June. File pic

While the frequency of cyclones on Maharashtra's west coast from Palghar to Sindhudurg has increased over the past decade, evacuating people from the coast to safer regions has always been difficult due to a lack of space. To address this issue, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) plans to build 85 multi-purpose cyclone shelters along the west coast.

Whenever a cyclone originates in the Arabian Sea, it affects the west coast of Maharashtra. In these instances, government officials have to evacuate individuals residing on the stretch as a precaution and relocate them to a safe location to avoid loss of life. Government agencies and departments have had a difficult time arranging for the temporary stay of cyclone-affected persons because many of the locations where they are relocated are remote or people have to move to schools, colleges or marriage halls. The people who are shifted temporarily even complain about the lack of facilities at these places.

"In the five coastal districts of Maharashtra, MSRDC will be setting up a total of five 85 multi-purpose cyclone shelters which will have all the latest amenities. These shelters will be very helpful while shifting people to safer places during cyclonic situations," an MSRDC official said. Of the 85 shelters, 27 will be built in Sindhudurg district, 21 in Ratnagiri, 34 in Raigad, one in Mira Bhayandar and two in Palghar district. The shelter will have four floors, separate sections for men and women and proper kitchens. The contractor concerned will have to complete construction work in 12 to 15 months.

Notable cyclones in recent history

Tej
Lasting from October 20 to 24, 2023, it passed state's coastline and made a landfall in Yemen
Category: Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD)
Fatalities: 2; none in India.

Biparjoy
It is known as the longest-duration cyclone as it lasted from June 6 to 19, 2023. It passed through Mumbai and Gujarat and made landfall near in Kutch.
Category: Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD)
Fatalities: 17

Tauktae
It lasted from May 14 to 19, 2021. After passing the Maharashtra coastline, affecting Mumbai and the Konkan, it made landfall in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Category: Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD)
Fatalities: 174

Nisarga
Tropical cyclone, which formed on June 1, 2020, was the strongest to strike Maharashtra in that month since 1891.
Category: Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD), Category 1 Hurricane
Fatalities: 6