Top 10 Indian States Prone To Cyclones and Earthquakes | Check Full List Here!

India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories, boasting a wide array of landscapes and beauty. From tall rugged mountains to dry, arid deserts, you can find a variety of natural elements. India boasts a magnificent coastline spanning over 11,098.81 kilometres, stretching from the powerful Indian Ocean to the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, offering a kaleidoscope of vibrant marine life, busy ports and serene beaches.

But do you know this lively landscape turned into a dreadful nightmare for Indians on 26 January 2001, when a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Kutch district of Gujarat near Chobari village in the Bhuj Taluka? This devastating earthquake took 13,800 to 20,000 lives and left 166,000 people injured. Nearly a million houses were destroyed due to this destructive earthquake, leaving people homeless in the peak winter season.

Destruction comes in the guise of earthquakes, floods, heavy rainfall, cyclones, droughts, famines, inflation, and more. In 1999, India was heavily struck by the most catastrophic cyclone of all time, Cyclone BOB 05. This cyclone made landfall on October 29, 1999, near Paradip, Odisha, as a Category 5-equivalent storm.

This cyclone brought relentless winds peaking at 260 km/h and a massive 20-foot (approx. 6-metre) tidal wave that surged miles inland, swallowing entire coastal villages. The storm engulfed millions of homes and destroyed 1.7 million hectares of cropland, wiping out the region's livestock and damaging infrastructure.

These two dreadful disasters were just the start; we can say the most horrific incidents happened in the past. But can you guess which Indian states are very prone to cyclones and earthquakes? Is UP, New Delhi, or Bihar on the list? Let's take a look at the Indian states which are directly affected by these cyclones and earthquakes.

List of 10 States That Are Prone to Earthquakes

India faces many earthquakes because its land is constantly moving and crashing underground. Let us look at the top 10 states of India.

According to data published by the National Centre for Seismology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, almost 59% of India's land area is vulnerable to earthquakes of varying intensities.

In fact, a recently updated seismic map by government agencies now suggests that about 61% of India's land falls under moderate to high hazard categories.

The country is divided into four main seismic zones: Zone II (low risk), Zone III (moderate risk), Zone IV (high risk), and Zone V (very high risk). Unfortunately, almost 75% of India's population lives in seismically active areas, meaning millions of people are always at risk.

Think of the Earth's crust like a giant jigsaw puzzle. The pieces, called tectonic plates, are always moving very slowly. The Indian plate is pushing northward into the Eurasian plate at a speed of about 4 to 5 centimetres every year.

Because they collide, energy gets trapped in the rocks. When the rocks can take it no more, they break, releasing energy that shakes the ground. That is what we call an earthquake.

List of 10 States That Are Prone to Cyclones

Cyclones are massive storms that form over oceans and bring heavy rain and fast winds to coastal areas.

India has a vast coastline stretching over 11,098.81 kilometres, out of which around 5,700 kilometres (76%) are highly prone to cyclones and tsunamis.

According to data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), about 8% of the country's total land area and one-third of its entire population are vulnerable to these disasters.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that out of the 96 coastal districts in India, 12 districts are classified as "very highly prone" to cyclones, while 41 districts are "highly prone".

Most cyclones hit the eastern coast because the Bay of Bengal is shaped like a triangle. When warm winds blow over water that is hotter than 26.5 degrees Celsius, it creates a low-pressure zone. Air rushes into this area and starts spinning due to the Earth's rotation.

This spinning monster collects water vapour, turning into a massive storm that crashes into our states, bringing high winds and flooding sea waves called storm surges.

How Much Area Of India Is Prone To Cyclones?

Out of India's total 11,098.81 kilometres of coastline, about 5,700 kilometres are highly vulnerable to cyclones. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), this covers nearly 8% of the country's total land mass. Furthermore, around one-third of India's total population lives in coastal areas, meaning millions of people across 9 coastal states and 2 Union Territories face a constant risk from these massive ocean storms every year.

Which Indian Coastline Is Most Affected By Cyclones?

The eastern coastline of India, which faces the Bay of Bengal, is affected far more than the western coast. In fact, historically, nearly 80% of all cyclones that strike the Indian subcontinent form in the Bay of Bengal and crash into the eastern coast. The unique concave, triangular shape of this bay acts like a funnel, forcing the storm waters to pile up and strike the land with destructive force.

Which Indian State Is Most Prone To Cyclone?

Odisha is the most cyclone-prone state in India. Because of its geographic position on the East Coast and the shallow depth of the Bay of Bengal nearby, it sits directly in the path of the region's deadliest storms. Records from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) show that Odisha gets hit by nearly 20% of all cyclones affecting the country, making its coastal districts highly vulnerable to severe flooding and wind damage.

Do Cyclones Occur In The Indian Ocean?

Yes, cyclones occur frequently in the North Indian Ocean, which includes both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. While the Bay of Bengal sees the majority of these storms due to its warmer waters, the Arabian Sea has also seen a rise in intense cyclones over recent years due to increasing ocean temperatures. The official cyclone season here peaks twice a year: from April to June and from October to December.

Which Is The Cyclone Capital Of India?

The Sundarbans in West Bengal, especially the South 24 Parganas district, is officially known as the "Cyclone Capital of India". The India Meteorological Department's Climate Hazards and Vulnerability Atlas shows that this area faces more severe cyclones and storms than anywhere else in the country.

What Is The Deadliest Cyclone In India?

The deadliest cyclone to strike mainland India in modern history was the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone. Making landfall on October 29, 1999, with winds screaming at 260 km/h, it brought a massive 20-foot tidal wave that swept miles inland. The storm officially claimed 9,887 human lives, though unofficial numbers are much higher, and it completely destroyed over 1.7 million hectares of ready-to-harvest crops.

What Is The Safest Place To Be During A Cyclone?

The safest place to be is inside a specially engineered, concrete cyclone shelter built by the government on high ground. If you are at home, stay inside a sturdy, permanent brick-and-concrete building, away from windows and glass doors. Choose an interior room on the ground floor, like a hallway or bathroom. Never stay in a thatched hut, a house with a tin roof, or near open glass areas.

How Many Zones Of Earthquakes Are There In India?

India is divided into four main seismic zones based on how heavily the ground is expected to shake. These are Zone II (low damage risk), Zone III (moderate damage risk), Zone IV (high damage risk), and Zone V (very high damage risk). Originally, there was a Zone I, but government scientists merged it into Zone II because almost no part of India is completely free from the risk of tremors.

Which Zone In India Is Most Earthquake Prone?

Zone V is the most earthquake-prone zone in India, carrying a "very high damage risk". This zone covers about 11% of the country's total land area. It includes the entire northeastern region, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These areas sit directly on active fault lines where tectonic plates crash together.