Kerala is struggling to hold its head above water. The worst ever natural disaster in the state has claimed more than 350 lives, with several missing.
The flood fury has rendered lakhs of people homeless, even as the army and national disaster management teams are struggling to move the flood victims to safer places. According to the state administration, more than 60,000 people have been rehabilitated, although thousands are still stranded in isolated places.
According to state finance minister Thomas Isaac, the losses could crossRupee15,000 crore. Colossal damage has been done to public infrastructure and it will be a Herculean task to rebuild the state. Prime Minister Modi, who took an aerial survey of the affected areas, announced an assistance ofRupee500 crore along with an ex-gratia payment ofRupee2 lakh each to the families of the dead.
No doubt, it is Natures fury, but the Kerala mayhem throws up some disturbing questions.
Did the weatherman fail to alert the system about the impending disaster well in time? Do we have enough systems in place to tackle disasters like these? More importantly, isnt it high time India had a disaster management manual for quick action on the ground? On ET NOWs India Development Debate, environment experts discussed the lessons from Kerala. Here are the key takeaways:
RANDEEP KUMAR RANA
DIG OPERATIONS, NDRF
There is no shortage of personnel as of now. As far as response for such eventualities is concerned, we always have one battalion in Tamil Nadu that looks after Kerala. We have deployed five teams to the state who are working day and night on a rotation basis. When disaster situation of such a magnitude is there, how much large the force maybe there is always a shortfall. NDRF were prepositioned in advance in consultation with the state government before the onset of this calamity. This is unprecedented devastation.
JIJI THOMSON
FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA
This is extremely unprecedented. In the last 100 years we have never seen such huge floods. We were aware that the rains were pounding the state but we couldn't anticipate the magnitude of the problem . There was definitely something wrong in the forecast. Preparations were not to the extent required. I have been told that there will be rains for the next two days and I dont know what is in store for us. Hopefully we can pray and wish that the rain Gods will relent.
HIMANSHU THAKKAR
COORDINATOR, SANDRP
Dams should not be filled up before the monsoon. Idukki dam was already filled in July. When Idukki was full they thought of releasing the water but didnt release. They released after another calamity. Central Water Commission, Indias only flood forecasting agency, has no site in Kerala. You dont have any way to guide you on what is coming. There was huge potential to reduce disaster impact if dams were not full. Mullaperiyar dam should not have been filled before the end of monsoon.
SUDHIR VOHRA
ARCHITECT AND URBAN PLANNER
I dont think this should be attributed to a man-made disaster. You may have some unauthorised buildings or you may have some bad planning which is somewhat endemic to Indian cities but this is not a city issue at all. This is due to unprecedented rainfall. Theres been just too much water and the dams have not been designed to take such quantum of water.
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