| Super cyclonic storm (IMD) | |
|---|---|
| Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHS) | |
| Image of the storm before landfall | |
| Formed | November 14, 1977 |
| Dissipated | November 20, 1977 |
| Highest winds | 3-minute sustained: 250 km/h (155 mph) 1-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 919 mbar (hPa; 27.14 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 14,204 total (Estimated up to 50,000) |
| Damage | $498.5 million (1977 USD) |
| Areas affected | Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Part of the 1977 North Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
The 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone (JTWC designation 06B) was a devastating cyclone that struck in the entire state of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states on November 19, 1977. It was one of the worst cyclonic storm to hit the Indian shores. A total of 14,204 people were confirmed to have been killed; however, some estimates place the loss of life at 50,000. Damage from the cyclone was placed at US$498.5 million.[1]
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The worst affected areas were in the Krishna River delta region. The island of Diviseema, which was hit by a six meter high storm surge, experienced a loss of life running into the thousands. Hundreds of bodies were floating in the waters and bodies bloated beyond recognition were consigned to mass pyres. Landslides ripped off the railway lines in the Waltair-Kirandal route. About 100 people who had left their homes to seek shelter in a church in Bapatla village were killed when the building collapsed. Fields of paddy and cash crops were submerged by the tidal waves. Thirteen sailing vessels, including some foreign ones, went missing in the storm.
About 100 villages were marooned or washed away by the cyclonic storms and the ensuing floods and a total of 10,841 killed or missing, and 3.4 million rendered homeless. According to the Janata party, at least 50,000 people were believed to have been killed by the storm, substantially higher than reported by the government.[2]
The large loss of life prompted the establishment of early warning meteorological stations on the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Cyclone shelters and other measures for disaster management were also taken. A memorial, at the point of furthest advance of the tidal wave,near the town of Avanigadda was built in memory of the people who died in the storm.
In the wake of the disaster, officials in India were accused of covering up the scale of damage and loss of life. Members of the Janata party, an opposing political group to the government in place at the time, claimed that the cover up was to hide criminal negligence which resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities.[2] Following these accusations, five high-ranking government officials resigned from their positions.[3]