Resilient against the elements: the preparedness and response to cyclone Phailin by the state of Odisha, India

More intense cyclones are predicted with the ongoing climatic changes. Therefore, strengthening disaster preparedness to cope with cyclones is recommended. The state of Odisha in India, could be considered to be the cyclone capital of India. On the 12th of October 2013 a very severe cyclonic storm “Phailin” hit the State. The State Government, took into account the learning of 1999 Super Cyclone with 10,000 deaths and was well prepared and aimed for zero casualty. As a result, minimal human suffering was observed. The response has been recognized as a “landmark success” in disaster management and risk reduction by the United Nations. This paper analyses the preparedness and response by the Government with a focus on the water and sanitation sector and distils the learning from the disaster response.