Echoes from the Eye of the Storm: Need for Disability-Inclusion in Cyclone Resilience

Standing on the sun-kissed sands of Gopalpur, I was struck by the stark contrast between the beach’s carefree atmosphere and the stories of struggle I had been collecting during my visit to Odisha. I was here to gather video interviews with persons with disabilities (PwDs) who had endured the wrath of multiple cyclones. This was part of broader initiative called the Strategic Actions to build Resilience for All SARAL ( सरल ) - Mainstreaming Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Disaster Management as part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) Fellowship Programme undertaken by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). In 2021-2022 alone, cyclones impacted over 2.5 lakh PwDs, underscoring the severe implications of such natural disasters on this considerable population. My goal was to understand the on-ground realities of their experiences to bring their voices into the broader conversation about disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.

The eastern coast of our country is no stranger to cyclones, with climate-change-induced disasters only exacerbating the susceptibility. Odisha is one of the worst affected states, scarred by 260 major cyclones over the last century, and serves as a case study in the need for robust disaster risk reduction strategies. Despite advances in building resilience, the impact of these cyclones remains devastating, particularly for PwDs. Their compounded vulnerabilities exponentially increase the effect of the felt cyclones across physical, information and communication, attitudinal and financial dimensions.

As I navigated through Ganjam, one of the most cyclone-affected districts in Odisha, I met individuals whose lives were profoundly disrupted by the storms. This district, stretching 60km along Odisha’s 480 km coastline, is the most populous in the state and hosts a significant population of PwDs. The individuals I spoke with painted a sombre picture of disparity. For them, the beautiful beaches of Gopalpur were not just scenic escapes but poignant reminders of their vulnerabilities. Cyclones for them, meant a terrifying ordeal where the world could swiftly turn into a perilous trap from which escape was nearly impossible.

The interviews revealed the deep challenges PwDs face during such disasters. They spoke of the terror of being unable to evacuate swiftly, of relying entirely on the goodwill and strength of those around them. Their survival during these crises was often a matter of luck, hinging on factors beyond their control. One woman shared that no one came to inform her about cyclones or carry her to the shelter—she was left to brave the disastrous winds in her small room in one of the slums of the town.

"What would an ideal situation look like for you?" I asked during all of my interviews. The responses were heart-breaking. Despite having faced such harrowing experiences, many didn't know what 'better' could look like. This aspect struck me the most. Their dreams didn’t reach for equity or justice—they simply wanted to survive, to exist with some semblance of dignity. It was as if they had internalised the limitations imposed by their circumstances, not daring to dream beyond what they had been told was possible.

These conversations underscored the critical need to understand and mainstream the perspectives of PwDs in disaster preparedness and response strategies and left me questioning the broader societal structures and attitudes toward disability. I found myself asking: if the needs of the most vulnerable drove our disaster risk reduction efforts, wouldn’t that create the most robust system? What would happen if we truly acknowledged the diversity within disability? Could we create a system where PwDs are not merely surviving but thriving with the same dreams and aspirations as anyone else?

Prior to the 1980s, disaster management primarily focused on post-disaster relief, handled by social welfare entities with little pre-emptive planning. The shift towards a modern approach—integrating comprehensive data and coordinated responses across societal sectors—marks progress. Yet, the recent emphasis on including disability considerations in disaster management highlights a critical gap where PwDs often are left without relevant support. The Disaster Management Act of 2005, which sets forth mechanisms at national and local levels, mandates inclusion, yet, too often, many still fall through the sizable cracks in its execution.

These questions lingered as I left Gopalpur, along with a renewed commitment to advocate for a more inclusive approach to disaster resilience. It is not enough to accommodate PwDs in our disaster resilience frameworks; we must empower them to thrive, not just survive, aiming for a future where equity and dignity are not aspirations but realities. With roughly 2.7 crore Indians facing disabilities, and this number likely to increase as we broaden our understanding of what disability entails, integrating their perspectives in disaster management isn't just necessary—it's essential for building a truly resilient society.

The blog is written by Garima Agarwal