1. Home
2. Blogs

Super Cyclone Amphan - Stay Aware and Be Prepared

• 
• 
• 
• 0
• 0

The super cyclone Amphan is going to be the second super-cyclonic event in 21 years in Odisha. Amphan has travelled across the Northeast region of the Bay of Bengal and also over West Bengal and the Bangladeshi coast between Hatia and Digha Island,and is likely to heavily impact the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal. 

Though the cyclone entered a comparatively weakened state on Tuesday,it still has the power to affect lives and properties in the coastal states of West Bengal and Odisha. The Indian government has taken precautions and has evacuated the sensitive regions for the inhabitants’ safety,while following the strict social distancing norms. Those within 5 kilometers of the vulnerable areas have been evacuated,and around 11 lakh people have been shifted to cyclone shelters. 

The Impact

The impact of the high-velocity wind of Amphan can be devastating for the livelihoods of the coastal inhabitants and disrupt the socio-economic scenario. It can lead to uprooting of communication poles,interfere with the proper functioning of railways (especially during the Shramik Train plan) by disrupting the power lines,and have an adverse effect on agriculture and horticulture industries in the region. 

Districts like Mayurbhanj,Bhadrak,Jajpur,Kendrapara,Balasore and Jagatsinghpur are likely to be most affected by the cyclone.

Government Measures

It is necessary to prepare for the unpredictability and eventual damages that this cyclone might inflict on the lives of those in the risk-prone regions. The state government has a total of 27 disaster response teams in place - including 17 from the ODRAF and 10 from the NRF.

Those with underlying medical conditions and expecting mothers have been shifted to healthcare facilities. The laborers who came back home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and were living in the 14-day isolation facility have also been transferred to a secure location to contain the impact of the virus and the cyclone. 

With these measures in place,the aim of the Odisha State Government is to achieve a zero casualty situation. The response teams are already in position and are in direct contact with the EOCs of the district. 

Do You Have a Personal Safety Net?

Clearly,the current situation calls for a safety net at a personal level. And what can be better than an insurance plan for your capital-heavy investments like homes and cars against the uncertain effects of this super cyclone? 

Protecting Your Assets

In order to create a safety net around your home and vehicle during these difficult times,you can go for the following types of insurance:

• Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy
  This type of policy is an all comprehensive insurance package under home insurance field covers your house and the contents within from natural calamities like cyclone,fire,hurricane,flood,tempest,earthquake,and more. It is also flexible enough to cater to housing societies that can buy the policy covering a larger area for 1 year. When bought singularly,this policy can cover your house for 15 years as you pay a premium ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to 10 crore. 

• Comprehensive Insurance Plan
  This complete policy covers the entire home structure as well as the contents,not only against cyclones and other natural calamities,but also against burglary and theft.

• Protecting Your Car
  A comprehensive car policy can protect your vehicle against manmade and natural disasters. Not to mention,the Indian Motor Vehicles Act mandates the need of a vehicle insurance plan.

Conclusion

All in all,it is always better to be safe than sorry. Since we are living in uncertain times,we need to secure our precious assets as well as our future with the best possible measures. So,be prepared for the cyclone by staying inside,keeping your doors and windows closed and following government advisory closely. Plus,make sure you have a proper insurance plan in place to secure yourself against any damages. 

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details,please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

S. Gopala Krishnan | Motor Insurance Expert | 40+years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in insurance industry. S. Gopala Krishnan is a name to reckon with in the field of reinsurance,he has headed the Reinsurance department and has rich experience in other fields of motor insurance. He loves to share his opinion on latest topics in the insurance industry and how he can help people in safeguarding their assets using insurance products.

Mr.S. Gopala Krishnanrecommends"HDFC ERGO for your vehicle insurance needs, it has always put customer’s interest at the forefront, with round the clock assistance to deal with emergency breakdown issues and hassle free claims process. You can be assured of complete and reliable guidance through the whole process."