Social and Behavioural Consequences of the Orissa Supercyclone

Abstract

This article examines the social and behavioural consequences of the Orissa supercyclone. Theory-driven secondary data were analysed at the macro level, covering the period from 1997 to 2001, of the cyclone-affected districts and of the state. The transient consequences were sudden upsurge in infant deaths and admission of psychiatric patients to the state hospital immediately following the disaster. The non-transient consequences were decreasing paddy productivity, fish production, enrolment in primary schools, and increasing loans, consumption of fertilisers, greater numbers of general patients in the state hospital, and increased paan and tobacco consumption that persisted for more than a year.