Which Indian state was most affected by Cyclone Amphan in 2020?

JIPMER Nursing Officer - 2020

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: JIPMER Nursing Officer - 2020

Explanation

Cyclone Amphan was a Super Cyclonic Storm that occurred in the Bay of Bengal in May 2020.
The cyclone made landfall near Bakkhali in West Bengal, causing it to be the most severely impacted Indian state.
The storm led to catastrophic damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and significant loss of life, especially in coastal districts and the city of Kolkata.

Option A: Although Odisha is on the eastern coast and was affected by the cyclone's outer bands, it did not experience the direct landfall or the intensity of the storm's core, resulting in comparatively less damage.
Option C: Tamil Nadu is located on the southeastern coast, far south of Cyclone Amphan's northward trajectory. It was not in the storm's path.
Option D: Kerala is on India's western coast, bordering the Arabian Sea. Cyclones from the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side do not affect it.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Geographical impact of major natural disasters in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are essential first responders during natural disasters like cyclones, responsible for triage, treating injuries, and managing emergency health services.
Post-disaster, nursing care focuses on preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid) and vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue) in temporary shelters and affected communities.
Disaster preparedness is a key nursing competency, involving participation in drills, educating communities, and preparing health facilities for mass casualty incidents.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the specific event ('Cyclone Amphan'), the year ('2020'), and the core question ('most affected Indian state').
This is a factual recall question based on a significant recent event. Access your knowledge of Indian geography and major weather events.
Mentally picture a map of India. Recall that cyclones in the Bay of Bengal typically affect the eastern coast.
This allows you to eliminate Kerala, which is on the western coast, and likely Tamil Nadu, which is further south than the typical landfall points for storms moving north.
The choice is between Odisha and West Bengal, both on the eastern coast. The deciding factor is the exact landfall location of the cyclone's eye, which determines the area of maximum impact.
Recall or deduce that Cyclone Amphan's direct hit was on West Bengal, making it the most affected state.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 144-146

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 118-120