Cyclone Phailin menaces India's East Coast
India's East Coast is being ravaged by an approaching cyclone that is being feared by many as just as bad as the October 1999 Odisha Cyclone that claimed 10,000 lives and $ 2 billion in reparations. Many claim that Phalin may be less intense and will calm down as it approaches the shore, but the gusts that are predicted to be at 190 mph have led to evacuations and the stop of all fishing activities. Heavy rainfall is also anticipated as coastal areas are expected to be inundated this weekend. The meteorological department also predicts that the small, flimsly kutcha houses that the lower class live in will receive heavy damage. It is a sad fact that despite the fact that these people are enocuraged to prepare more extensively for the storm, they are the ones who have the least resources availible to them.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/11/world/asia/india-cyclone-phailin/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you think the cyclone will affect the poor and rich. How does this demonstrate the wealth gap in India?
2. Does the fact that India is a third world country change the extent of damage that could be done. How will the government respond to this?
The cyclone will further perpetuate the already prevalent wealth gap in India; those who are wealthy will survive by their ample means, while those who are of a lower economic strata will sadly perish financially. It will further postpone the mitigation of this wealth gap. With the flimsy kutcha houses, the cyclone will impose a greater impact on the buildings as well was the daily lives of those effected. This is where the government needs to get involved; they need to be able to house it's people and provide them with support until they can get back on their feet. Whether it be through temporary shelters and donated food, these people need be assisted in their time of need.
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