Cyclone Biparjoy in Coastal Gujarat: Human Vulnerability, Housing Loss and Evolving Disaster Risk Governance

Cyclone Biparjoy marked one of the most intense recent cyclonic events on the western coast of India, leaving a visible imprint on the coastal settlements of Sikka, Okha, Varvala, Rupen Bandar and Veraval in Gujarat. This study investigates how such cyclones are reshaping everyday life and risk in these communities by bringing together people's lived experiences with a systematic assessment of physical and socio-economic impacts. Using household surveys, field interviews, statistical analysis and available government reports, the research examines the geographical setting of the coast, the social and economic profile of residents, and the evolving disaster profile of the region. Particular attention is paid to housing conditions, livelihoods based on agriculture, fishing and livestock, and differing levels of awareness and preparedness among residents. The findings show that while losses to crops and livestock were moderate, damage to homes–especially kuccha and semi-pucca structures– was widespread and often financially overwhelming for affected households. Many respondents reported that early warnings and evacuation efforts had improved since Cyclone Tauktae, yet gaps remain in community-level planning and in the reach of official information, particularly for the people at grassroot. The study also brings out the social and gendered dimensions of impact, including the additional burdens placed on women and the disruption of childcare during and after the cyclone. Although government support through evacuation, shelter provision and compensation played a crucial role, the assistance was frequently perceived as inadequate, compelling families to rely heavily on their own resources for reconstruction. Taken together, the study argues for a more people-centred approach to cyclone risk reduction in coastal Gujarat–one that couples stronger, cyclone-resilient infrastructure and housing with inclusive relief, better-targeted compensation, sustained awareness programmes and explicit integration of climate change adaptation into local development planning.