While the frequency of cyclones on Maharashtra’s west coast from Palghar to Sindhudurg has increased over the past decade, evacuating people from the coast to safer regions has always been difficult due to a lack of space. To address this issue, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) plans to build 85 multi-purpose cyclone shelters along the west coast.

Whenever a cyclone originates in the Arabian Sea, it affects the west coast of Maharashtra. In these instances, government officials have to evacuate individuals residing on the stretch as a precaution and relocate them to a safe location to avoid loss of life. Government agencies and departments have had a difficult time arranging for the temporary stay of cyclone-affected persons because many of the locations where they are relocated are remote or people have to move to schools, colleges or marriage halls. The people who are shifted temporarily even complain about the lack of facilities at these places.