” Prior to two weeks ago, Kolkata and the surrounding forest were both affected by Amphan, the largest cyclone in recorded history (pronounced as “Um-p un”, meaning the sky). All low-lying regions were submerged by the enormous storm surge, which is believed to have been five metres (16.5 feet) high, leaving a path of devastating devastation.
Cyclonic storms are common in the 10,000 sq km Sunderbans region, although they have become more frequent and intense recently. The mangrove jungle has seen two storms in the past six months: cyclones Bulbul in November of last year and Amphan in May of this year.
Amphan clearly left behind a flood of humanitarian crises (along with the lockdown to contain the COVID-19 epidemic), but it is still unclear what damage it caused to the Sundarban’ natural environment.
Former Sundarban National Park director Pradeep Vyas claims that the super cyclone may have killed and uprooted several species that live in the delta. A significant number of residents, including fish, reptiles, and mammals, are likely dead as a result of the storm, however, the extent of the destruction is unknown. But I worry that when prey populations decline, particularly those of wild boar and deer, the tiger’s food supply may also decline. This might exacerbate the conflict between humans and tigers in the area.
Sundarban Eco System
According to experts, without the Sundarban, the loss of human life and means of subsistence may have been far worse. Before the storm makes its way into human settlements along the edges of the forest, this special coastal ecosystem shock is reported to lower wind speed by 20 to 25 km/h and absorb the first force of the storm. We will discuss more how the delta of the Sundarban in danger.
Mangroves are built-in biological barriers that are resistant to cyclones and other severe weather, shield coastal settlements from regular storm surges, and slow down the intertidal zone’s long-term degeneration. The long-term impacts of climate change, however, could eliminate this natural defence mechanism. Mangroves sequester 14% of the world’s coastal carbon, according to research.
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