Retracing a Colonial Disaster: An Environmental History of the Calcutta Cyclone on 5th October, 1864

Abstract

The effect of the Calcutta Cyclone on the 5th of October, 1864 was not only limited to the areas of Calcutta but it also resulted in heavy damages and destructions on the coastal districts like Medinipur, 24- Parganas and some portion of Hooghly and others which wreaked havoc on human lives and property. The livelihood and the way of life was totally disrupted. Especially the natives were worst sufferer. The Colonial Government’s unplanned construction policies in riverine areas and coastal regions exacerbate the risk and threat of this natural calamity. To deal with these situations the British government took up various relief measures, though there was an interest exploiting the inhabitant. Due to lake of adequate action by the Government, fatal diseases stepped into the storm hit areas, which resulted in a large number of deaths in post cyclonic period. Thus, a natural calamity was transformed into a man-made hazard.