Population health risks in multi-hazard environments: action needed in the Cyclone Amphan and COVID-19 - hit Sundarbans region, India

Szabo, S., Pal, I., Udmale, P., Pongsiri, M., Chilton, S

Published in ‘Climate and Development’

Abstract

The local population of Sundarbans, an environmentally vulnerable delta region in south-eastern India, is currently affected by combined negative impacts of cyclone Amphan and the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown measures have created an additional burden on the health care system, while flooding during Amphan increased the risk of spreading water-borne diseases. In this viewpoint, we provide a conceptual model of the complex interlinkages among the combined multi-hazard effects, human health and water availability, with possible mitigation measures. We then discuss the specific pathways through which these immediate and long-term impacts occur and highlight the risk of together slowing progress on SDG3 and SDG6 in the Sundarbans. Finally, we call for coordinated assessment, support and appropriate intervention measures to secure clean water availability and minimize the health impacts of the recent multiple disasters in this tropical delta region.