For years, the tragic memory of the most devastating Super cyclone, which ripped through many parts of Odisha on October 29, 1999-is still fresh in the memory of the people of the State. The most intense recorded tropical cyclone in the last century
left a trail of destruction in the State. Its origins could be traced back to the Andaman Sea on 25 October. Aided by highly favorable conditions, the storm rapidly intensified with winds of 260 km/h, and a record-low pressure of 912 mbar. The 16-20 ft surge brought water up to 35 km inland, immersing towns and villages. The surge combined with heavy torrential rainfall to produce widespread flooding, damaging around 1.6 million homes and causing rivers to break several flood embankments. The storm’s effects destroyed numerous crops. Estimates of the death toll varied significantly-at times suggesting 30,000 fatalities. Over 8,000 deaths occurred in Jagatsinghpur only. Various branches
of the Indian Armed Forces were dispatched to aid the recovery efforts. Even after 22 years, the date still gives jitters to many, especially those who survived the tragedy and witnessed the devastation from close quarters. “I lost my husband and brother-in-law on that ill-fated day and had to go through a long harrowing
period,” recollected Sajani Nayak, a resident of Daluakani village