Application of geospatial techniques in estimating the impact of Fani cyclone on land surface conditions of Puri district of Odisha, India

Abstract

Cyclones, as severe natural disasters, leave indelible marks on landscapes and populations. The present study aims to highlight the application of geospatial techniques in studying water-related disasters along coastal areas. The study estimated the impact of the Fani cyclone (which occurred on May 3, 2019) on land surface conditions in the Puri district of the state of Odisha in India using geospatial techniques. It was one of the biggest disasters in the history of the Puri district. The district received very heavy rainfall of up to 1057 mm from May 03–04, 2019, due to the Fani cyclone, which had a storm surge (180 kmph) and flooding in the study area. The examination of Sentinel 1A-B SAR data before (April 27, 2019) and after (May 5, 2019) the Fani cyclone illustrates that the recorded flooded area encompassed approximately 102 km2 within the Puri district. Within these flooded zones, the maximum flood depth reached up to 30.9 m above ground level, with a mean value of 0.14 m. Water bodies (especially Chilika Lake) (35%) have been highly impacted, followed by barren/sand (32%) and cultivated land (19%). The sharp decline (by 31%–113%) in post-Fani cyclone Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of natural vegetation, crops, and barren land compared to pre-Fani cyclone reveals a dynamic transformation in vegetation, land use patterns, and infrastructural alterations. In this context, the incorporation of geospatial methodologies stands as a sturdy framework for evaluating and alleviating the impact of analogous natural disasters on a global scale. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.