This is a general article meant for the non-specialist reader. The article provides a brief description of the devastating effects of tropical cyclones in general, and super-cyclone that hit the Orissa Coast, India in 1999, which has been described as the severest cyclone of the 20th century. A special mention and a graphical description have been given about the steep variation of the atmospheric pressure at a location on the footprint of a passing cyclone. Subsequently, different stages of cyclone have been described with reference to a series of satellite imageries. The role of cyclone detection radar network in detection of cyclone and their use in early warning have been described with reference to radar pictures of some typical cyclones. The significant role played by cyclone in generating storm-surge events in coastal waters has been discussed, and a list of the major storm-surge events that occurred in the last decade together with the devastation brought by them have been provided