Climate-resilient road design in coastal areas subjected to cyclones and associated floods

Abstract

Cyclones and the associated floods have recently become a regular problem for many states of India on its west and east coast. Odisha (renamed from Orissa in 2011) is a state located along the eastern coast of India and experiencing tropical cyclones mainly from the Bay of Bengal. Some of the recent severe cyclonic storms that had caused large-scale devastation in Odisha in the last decade include cyclone Amphan in May 2020, cycloneFani in May 2019, cyclone Titli in October 2018, cyclone Hudhud in October 2014, and cyclone Phailin in October 2013. Roads, being one of the essential lifeline infrastructure facilities, commonly get damaged during these cyclonic floods in terms of floodwater overtopping, erosion of road surfaces, shoulders and embankment slopes, and even washing out of the whole roadway section. These recent events have indicated that special attention is needed for this vital lifeline infrastructure to minimize its damage by developing and adopting climate-resilient road infrastructure. This paper focuses on the damage assessment of transportation infrastructure during the recent cyclones and associated floods in Odisha, and some recommendations for possible measures to be taken for the design of cyclone and flood resilient road infrastructure are presented.