Impact of natural disasters on livestock farmers: The case of Orissa supercyclone of 1999 in India

Abstract

An ex post facto study was conducted during 2002-03, using the supercyclone that struck the Indian state of Orissa in October 1999, as a case to understand the impact ofnatural disasters on livestock fanners in general and particularly the preparedness, response and recovery with respect to livestock management under disaster situations. The supercyclone affected both human and livestock population, causing 9885 human deaths and 2515726 livestock mortality. The preparedness, response and rehabilitation mechanisms were primarily focused on human beings, whereas, inadequate attention to livestock management in such a situation led to heavy losses, delayed and caused poor recovery from livestock related damages. The total loss due to cyclone related damages to livestock could have been reduced with better preparedness, timely response and well designed rehabilitation efforts. The authors, based on their findings, argue a case for better attention to livestock during natural disasters like cyclones since the majority of Indian small, marginal and landless livestock farmers have heavy dependence on livestock- often as a single source oftheir livelihood.