Influence of Super Cyclone “Amphan” in the Indian Subcontinent amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Tropical cyclone “Amphan” developed as a super cyclone on 19 May 2020 and caused severe impact on the landmass with very high torrential precipitation (>250 mm day −1 ), and extremely high wind speed (>150 km h −1 ) after landfall on 20 May 2020. The tropical cyclone Amphan largely affected agricultural land (78.2%) and forest, including mangroves (10.8%) in eastern India and Bangladesh. The built-up area over the trajectory of the cyclone and its proximity, including eastern parts of the Kolkata metropolitan area, was considerably affected by the cyclone due to the high population density and poor structural and community planning. Although the regions with close proximities to cyclones’ trajectory (2033 km 2 area under <2 km proximity) were affected severely, the presence of mangrove forest in Sundarban substantially reduced the magnitude of the tropical cyclone. A considerable decrease (~30%) in aerosol optical depth (AOD) in April–May 2020 as compared to that in 2019 is considered one of the major causes of the development of the warm pool and cyclogenesis in the Bay of Bengal. The number of COVID-19 cases increased by ~70% in the post-cyclonic period (29 May 2020) compared to that in the pre-cyclonic period (19 May 2020) illustrating the impact of the cyclonic hazard.

Household food insecurity, income loss, and symptoms of psychological distress among adults following the Cyclone Amphan in coastal Bangladesh

“…In 2013, Mahasen, known as a "Cyclonic Storm," killed 18 people [ 1 ]. Cyclone Amphan was another worst Bay of Bengal storm since 1991 [ 3 ]. These bring negative consequences on agricultural production, food-security, and livelihood for the people who live in the coastal areas.…”

“…Cyclone Amphan swept into eastern India and southwestern coast of Bangladesh on May 20, 2020, evening with pounding winds and torrential rains, inflating sea waters causing as high as 12 feet tidal surges [ 3 , 4 ]. According to various sources, over a million people were affected by Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh’s nine coastal districts.…”

“…According to various sources, over a million people were affected by Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh’s nine coastal districts. In Bangladesh, some 10 million people were affected by Cyclone Amphan, killing at least 25 people [ 3 ]. In addition, half a million families might lose their homes [ 4 ].…”

“…The storm struck hard in the Satkhira district of Bangladesh. The high tides triggered by the Amphan cyclone destroyed the dam in four areas of Satkhira, flooding at least 20 villages [ 3 ]. It has also washed away some croplands and fish enclosures.…”

Impact of Cyclone Yaas 2021 Aggravated by COVID-19 Pandemic in the Southwest Coastal Zone of Bangladesh

“…In the period of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the super cyclone Amphan struck in Bangladesh at the harvest time of paddy rice and mango fruit. Due to COVID-19, it was very difficult to evacuate people from cyclone damage [22][23][24]. The co-occurrence of a natural hazard (cyclones) and a biological scourge (COVID-19) resulted in a severe crisis and challenges to society and its systems [25].…”