Thiruvananthapuram: Once bitten twice shy. Authorities in Kerala, who were blamed for poor dam management and delayed response that worsened the impact of floods last year, are taking precautions ahead of this year's monsoonal rains. The new government directives are based on the disaster management authority’s report that took into consideration lapses that happened during last year’s flood management.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Irrigation Department should seek the permission of district authorities 36 hours before opening dams if water needs to be released from reservoirs during rainy seasons, a new government order states. (Most dams in Kerala are under the control of the KSEB and the state irrigation department.)
The new order says dams should not be opened without collector’s orders.
Before seeking official nod, the departments concerned have to study the possible rise of water levels in rivers and streams and notify people through local governing bodies about those who could be affected. Heads of the local governing body have to be informed at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the reservoir. People in areas likely to affected need to be informed personally 15 hours prior to release, the order adds.
Before June 10 the KSEB and irrigation department have to report to disaster management authorities in districts where dams are situated, the new directive also states.
They have to furnish information on districts downstream likely to be affected and when to release water based on the ‘rule curve’ which dictates what levels constitute situations calling for yellow, orange and red alerts. The power utility and irrigation authorities also have to report on how much of the reservoir needs to be left empty.
The authority has to study this before giving a go-ahead. These steps have to be followed if water needs to be released.
The irrigation department has to employ assistant executives round the clock at district-level emergency centres. This official has to report the amount of rain and water levels in rivers and reservoirs daily.
Emergency centres at high-range districts like Idukki have to employ an expert from groundwater or geology department round the clock. They have to report chances of mudslides and landslides depending on the amount of rainfall.
It was alleged that the 2018 floods in Kerala were a 'man-made disaster'. The state government was blamed for ignoring warnings about heavy rains and likely floods. Confirming these doubts, a report by an amicus curiae a few months back had recommended a judicial probe into the disaster. It had started the devastating floods across Kerala were indeed aggravated by the mismanagement of dams.
The report by Jacob P Alex, an advocate selected as amicus curiae by the Kerala High Court to help it deal with 16 petitions it received in connection with the flood, pointed a finger at the authorities for lapses in releasing water from reservoirs.
The report stated that Kerala had no mechanism to record or analyse rainfall. The state government did not act on the warnings by the central agencies on expected rainfall. Reservoirs were opened without the mandatory precautions.
In the wake of the floods Ramesh Chennithala, the leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, had then itself demanded a judicial probe into the circumstances that led to the opening of shutters of 40-odd dams at a time in the state.
