Cyclone Information Practices among Coastal Communities in Odisha: An Information-Seeking Behaviour Perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34256/

Keywords:

Cyclone information sources, Disaster Communication, Early Warning Systems, Information-Seeking Behavior, Odisha

Abstract

This study explores the information-seeking behavior of cyclone-affected communities in Odisha, focusing on their information needs, sources of alerts, first warnings, confirmation methods, trusted channels, and barriers to access. Data were collected from 120 respondents in the Puri district of Odisha using a structured questionnaire and a random sampling method. The findings highlight distinct phases of information needs during cyclonic events. Television and mobile emerged as the primary sources for initial alerts, while local government sources were most trusted for confirmation. Additionally governmental sources are regarded as the most trustworthy, whereas human sources like family and neighbors were less trusted. The study also identifies key barriers to effective information access, including infrastructural issues such as power outages and poor network connectivity, as well as challenges like mistrust, delayed delivery, and lack of awareness. These insights can guide policymakers in strengthening disaster communication strategies and developing effective village-level frameworks in rural coastal regions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Sushree Namita Nag, Department of Library and Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu

    Sushree Namita Nag is a senior research scholar at the Central University of Tamil Nadu. She holds an MLISc from Sambalpur University and an MPhil from Gangadhar Meher University. Her research interests include disaster information seeking behaviour, information systems and metric studies. She contributed to the data collect, result analysis, and writing of the manuscript.

  • K. G. Sudhier, Department of Library and Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu

    K.G. Sudhier is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at the Central University of Tamil Nadu. He holds a postgraduate degree in Physics from AMU, Aligarh and in Library and Information Science, along with a Doctorate in Library and Information Science-Informetrics from the University of Kerala. With over 20 years of professional experience in the field of Library and Information Science, Sudhier has made significant contributions to the profession. He has an extensive publication record, with over 75 research papers published in journals and over 150 papers presented in seminars and conferences, including contributions as book chapters. He contributed to the research design, experimental guidance, as well as reviewing and editing of the manuscript.

References

Armstrong, C. L., & VanDyke, M. S. (2025). Verify, accept, or ignore: The complexities of media trust along Southeastern U.S. coastal communities during severe weather events. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly,0(0), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990251347659

Barua, K. (2024, November 26). List of cyclones that hit India from 2019 to 2024. Jagranjosh. https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-cyclones-in-india-1591178815-1

Chakraborty, S., & Chaudhuri, S. K. (2022a). Exploring information seeking pathways of inhabitants about cyclones: A mixed method approach. Annals of Library and Information Studies, 69(2), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.56042/alis.v69i2.56072

Chakraborty, S., & Chaudhuri, S. K. (2022b). Unfolding social learning parameters behind the selection of information sources against cyclones: A perspective of information seeking behavior research. Library & Information Science Research, 44(4), 101194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101194

Chiimba, E. G., & Verne, J. (2022). Disaster communication beyond the state? Community organisations, informal information flows and the mediation of (mis)trust before and after cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 76, 103012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103012

Das, T., Shahfahad, & Rahman, A. (2024). Assessing tropical cyclone risk for improving mitigation strategies in coastal Odisha, India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(41), 53856–53876. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33017-2

Finau, G., Tarai, J., Varea, R., Titifanue, J., Kant, R., & Cox, J. (2018). Social media and disaster communication: A case study of cyclone Winston. Pacific Journalism Review, 24(1), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.3316/informit.738398775561009

Jaman, T., Dharanirajan, K., & Shivaprasad Sharma, S. V. (2021). Assessment of impact of cyclone hazard on social vulnerability of Bhadrak district of Odisha state during Phailin cyclone in 2013 and Titli cyclone in 2018 using multi-criteria analysis and geospatial techniques. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 53, 101997. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101997

Kanjilal, M. K., Malik, K. K., & Kapoor, P. (2025). Fostering resilience: Community radio and disaster communication in Odisha, India. Media, Culture & Society, 47(2), 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437241282243

Mishra, M., Acharyya, T., Pattnaik, N., Dash, M. K., Das, P. P., & Mishra, S. K. (2023). The long-term frequency and intensity of cyclonic storms and associated losses in Odisha, India. Environmental Hazards, 22(1), 65–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2022.2069665

Rahmi, R., Joho, H., & Shirai, T. (2019). An analysis of natural disaster-related information-seeking behavior using temporal stages. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 70(7), 715–728. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24155

Rivera, J. D. (2021). Factors influencing individual disaster preparedness information seeking behavior: Analysis of US households. Natural Hazards Review, 22(4), 04021042. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)NH.1527-6996.0000510

Ryan, B. (2018). Establishing information seeking pathways in slow and flash floods. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 31, 9–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.04.005

Seppänen, H., & Virrantaus, K. (2015). Shared situational awareness and information quality in disaster management. Safety Science, 77, 112–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.03.018

Sharma, U., Patwardhan, A., & Parthasarathy, D. (2009). Assessing adaptive capacity to tropical cyclones in the East coast of India: A pilot study of public response to cyclone warning information. Climatic Change, 94(1), 189–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9552-z

Sommerfeldt, E. J. (2015). Disasters and information source repertoires: Information seeking and information sufficiency in post earthquake Haiti. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 43(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2014.982682

Spence, P. R., Lachlan, K., Burke, J. M., & Seeger, M. W. (2007). Media use and information needs of the disabled during a natural disaster. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 18(2), 394–404. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2007.0047

Steelman, T. A., McCaffrey, S. M., Velez, A.-L. K., & Briefel, J. A. (2015). What information do people use, trust, and find useful during a disaster? Evidence from five large wildfires. Natural Hazards, 76(1), 615–634. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1512-x

Taylor, K., Priest, S., Sisco, H. F., Banning, S., & Campbell, K. (2009). Reading Hurricane Katrina: Information sources and decision‐making in response to a natural disaster. Social Epistemology, 23(3–4), 361–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691720903374034

Teo, M., Goonetilleke, A., Ahankoob, A., Deilami, K., & Lawie, M. (2018). Disaster awareness and information seeking behaviour among residents from low socio-economic backgrounds. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 31, 1121–1131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.09.008

Yang, J. Z., & Zhuang, J. (2020). Information seeking and information sharing related to Hurricane Harvey. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 97(4), 1054–1079. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699019887675

Zhuang, L., He, J., Yong, Z., Deng, X., & Xu, D. (2020). Disaster information acquisition by residents of China’s earthquake-stricken areas. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 51, 101908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101908

Downloads

Published

2026-04-01

Issue

Vol. 62 No. 01 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Indian Library Association

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Cyclone Information Practices among Coastal Communities in Odisha: An Information-Seeking Behaviour Perspective (S. N. Nag & K. G. Sudhier , Trans.). (2026). Journal of Indian Library Association, 62(01), 137-149. https://doi.org/10.34256/