The losses of human lives and properties due to the cyclone Phailin were much less than what were feared. This was mainly possible for knowledge of science.
It is research and development in the earth science which facilitated the State Government to pinpoint the exact location of the impending calamity besides the intensity of the possible wind speed.
In 1999 Super Cyclone, the situation was different when as many as 9,885 persons perished.
In case of the Phailin, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued bulletins five days before the calamity and gave ample time for the administration to make adequate arrangements to minimise the impact of the calamity.
In 1999, there was no such facility. This time, apart from the IMD’s increased efficiency people got updated news about the cyclone through television channels and mobile services.
Besides, the experience of 1999 also helped the Government and the people effectively fight against the cyclone. Development of science saved human lives.
Armed with information sufficiently before the Pahilin had its landfall, the Government could evacuate a massive 9 lakh population to safer places, with no one left to stay in a five-km radius of the seacoast. The Army, Navy, Air Force and NDRF for the first time rushed with all their expertise before the calamity hit the State and helped the State Government in the evacuation mission.