Keep the first aid box with necessary medicines with you. Over 3,274 relief camps[8] have been opened at various locations to accommodate the flood victims. [23][24] For the first time in the state's history, 35[16] of its 54[17] dams had been opened. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The maximum discharge passing through the Periyar at Neeleeswaram was 8800 cumecs (m3/sec) recorded at 16 August 15:00 hrs, as per the CWC's Neeleeswaram G&D site. hidden June 21, 2013 Turn off gas and electricity connections. Satellite observations of the cloud top height in terms of cloud top temperature indicate the presence of vertically developing deep convective clouds during August 7-11, 2019, with Infra-Red Brightness temperature as low as below 200 Kelvin (the lower the brightness temperature, the higher the height of the clouds). Measurements of air in ice cores show that for the past 8,00,000 years up until the 20th century, the atmospheric CO2 concentration has stayed within the range of 170 to 300 parts per million (ppm); the recent rapid rise to nearly 412 ppm over 200 years is particularly remarkable. Percentage increase in rainfall compared to normal. Use a stick to walk through water to understand the depth. According to a study by the Central Water Commission, the average cumulative rainfall of 3 days from 15 to 17 August 2018 was about 414mm. 
Pinarayi Vijayan honoured the fishermen and the Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma said that the government will provide financial aid to repair the fishing boats which were partially damaged in the rescue operations while new ones will be provided for those boats which were completely destroyed. The monsoon floods and landslides in Kerala have left at least 370 people dead. Incessant heavy rainfall began on the intervening night of August 8-9 with landslides as water released due to opening More exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below, Pros and Cons of Taking Public Administration for UPSC, GS 4 Structure Strategy and Syllabus for UPSC Mains. We now know that over 1 million people including more than 100,000 children are staying in 3,274 relief camps across the region. Further, residential and commercial stakeholders can be further motivated to install green infrastructure options like rain gardens, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems. By August 18, 2018, monsoon rain over Kerala became large excess by about 42 per cent. WebAnswer (1 of 7): after independence there were five year planning planning for construction of dams and multipurpose projects to minimise the effect of floods during monsoon Install "check valves" in sewer pipes to prevent floodwater from entering the drains of your home. were opened. We believe strongly that we can and must do things differently. Though it is difficult to attribute any single event to climate change, its possible role in causing the heavy rainfall event over Kerala cannot be ruled out. [43][44] The flooding has affected hundreds of villages, destroyed an estimated 10,000km (6,200mi) of roads and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Block all drains in the home to restrict floodwater from entering your home. "The major concern of the dam operators was to maximise reservoir levels, which conflicted with the flood control purpose for which the dams could be utilised. 
One of the best solutions to reduce the chances of flooding is to build away from floodplains and high flood hazard zones. Hence, when the entire ocean basin is warmer than normal, that may not help in producing convection. On the other hand, July 31, 2018, ended up with an excess rainfall of 18 per cent. A warming ocean along with ocean acidification and hypoxic regions are increasing at a faster rate and that is going to affect fish abundance at sea and hence the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. Anantha Narayanan has been a reporter covering defence, aviation, education and excise news since 2016. During the extreme rainfall events of the 2019 monsoon season, there have been reports of tornado-like rotating updraft winds and water spout from some regions. [38][39], Over 489 people died, 14 are missing and 140 are hospitalized,[7] while The Economic Times reported that 33,000 people were rescued. On its part, the government had rubbished Alexs claims that dams in the state lacked both effective flood control zone and flood cushions. This would help to create a dynamic flood cushion for moderating floods. This was because its effective functioning was dependent on the receipt of externally sourced real-time data. The dam managers should not have solely relied on the India Meteorological Department (IMD) prediction for dam management. As expected, the changes in the rainfall pattern along with structural changes in the cloud properties are a consequence of climate change induced by global warming. Such a centre was to be equipped with an intelligent decision support system capable of predicting and issuing early warnings on significant hydro-meteorological hazards. Stormwater drainage systems whose capacities are overwhelmed when a rainfall of high intensity happens. Heres how to start, LIGO-India: Mega observatory set to put India on worlds astronomy radar, Live: Maha reports 542 new Covid cases, Delhi 535 infections, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. Since 2018, he is working for The Times of India in Kochi, Kerala. [56][57][58][59], At a press conference on 11 August, Chief Secretary Tom Jose said, "Things are well under control. Nobody anticipated such a situation. They also committed to build 500 houses, at a cost of. The government is on top of the situation. From floodplain identification to flood hazard map to availability of rain gauges, CAG report points out shortcomings in Keralas flood response. [40] The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has placed the state in a red alert as a result of the intense flooding. {{twoWheelerCtrl.lastVisitedData.vehicle.model | toTitleCase}} [48], View of NH544 near Companypady metro station, Being instructed by ISRO the Cabinet Secretary, senior officers of Defence Services, NDRF, NDMA and secretaries of Civilian Ministries conducted meetings with Kerala Chief Secretary. The CAG has confirmed the concerns we have been raising in the last three years. number, (Incl It contains plans to prevent or lessen the impact of the dams failure or apparent structure. The shutter number three of the Cheruthoni dam which forms part of the Idukki dam was opened by 35 cm first in order to regulate the water level. It is estimated that 1,247,496 people[8] have found shelter in such camps. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. WebFloods 2018 Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Floods 2018 Home Floods 2018 1. Some of the most significant events of urban flooding include Mumbai Floods of 2005, Kolkata in 2007, Delhi in 2009, Bangalore in 2015 and the Hyderabad floods of 2020. Here is a detailed discourse on dos and don'ts during flood catastrophes. However, the system failed two years after its completion in 2019 to give an early warning about climate hazards. 
Amicus curiae Jacob P Alex in 2018, had informed the Kerala High Court that the sudden release of water from different dams simultaneously during the heavy rain in August 2018 had worsened the situation. Flooding in India reaches its peak during the monsoon seasons. Uttarakhand floods: Govt steps up rescue efforts, more than 33,000 evacuated As many as 33,152 persons have been moved to safer areas in massive relief and rescue operations launched by the Central and state governments in the last few days to tackle the unprecedented situation caused by flash floods. The impact of climate change on cyclone frequency remains a subject of ongoing studies. This also signals that, along with rainfall pattern and distribution, cloud structure is also undergoing drastic changes. E Know the safest route of escape to the nearest shelter. It is therefore important to look into the presence of such deep convective clouds during the extremely heavy rainfall events of 2018 and 2019. [21], The southwest monsoon was 23% excess in Kerala in the year 2018, with August of that year seeing rainfall 96% above normal. Anita, executive director, Centre for Water Resource Development Management (CWRDM), an autonomous research institution under the State government, said heavy run-off of the top soil in the upland areas and the siltation in the rivers were the reasons for the falling water level. This clearly exhibits the large spatial heterogeneity in the rainfall distribution during the monsoon season across the country and its inherent inter-annual variability. WebTake all flood safety measures. The report said a full-time residential training institute for civil defence was established at Thrissur five years ago, but it had not served the intended purpose. [13] The Tamil Nadu government rejected the argument, saying that Kerala suffered the deluge due to the discharge of excess water from 80 reservoirs across Kerala, spurred by heavy rains from within the state; It also argued that the flood surplus from the Idukki dam is mainly due to the flows generated from its own independent catchment due to unprecedented heavy rainfall, while the discharge from Mullaperiyar dam was significantly less. Hence, it may be assumed that a warmer SST alone is not responsible for causing intense downpour. Could poor response on part of the Kerala government have caused the massivefloods of 2018 in the state? #KeralaFloodRelief". bikeCtrl.lastVisitedData.dropOffGrossPremium:bikeCtrl.lastVisitedData.chosePlan.grossPremium) The CAG report was also highly critical of the continuing encroachments on river beds, which obstructed water flow during floods. For 2019 Kerala floods, see, Kerala before (left/above) and after (right/below) the floods, released by, Housing projects for flood survivors by NGOs, Kerala Floods 2018: Fishermen of Kerala Supermen without capes .The fishermen from across Kerala were engaged in flood rescue missions. During the floods, the government of Kerala took all the possible measures to save lives and provide emergency assistance. In March this year, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru released a study that identified faults in managing the water levels in the Kerala dams as the main reason that aggravated 2018 floods. [37], The Government of Kerala argued in the Supreme Court that the very sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating flood in Kerala. Unplug electrical gadgets and machinery and keep away from the reach of water. Interestingly, all India summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) was deficit in 2015, and Kerala also received deficit rainfall during the summer monsoon season. Kerala witnessed one of the most distressing droughts in 2016 which posed a severe threat to both agriculture and hydrology. Terms & Conditions. [29][21] These high-frequency waves manifested as cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations and dilated the wind field to establish zones of convection in the tropics, as they propagated across the Indian Ocean basin. This, according to the CAG, raised concerns as the basin had witnessed heavy floods every monsoon since 2018. Provisions in the Kerala State Water Policy 2008 require preparing a state-level master plan for water resources development and also for formulating master plans for the major rivers of the state. 18% GST), Comprehensive vs Third Party Bike Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Contractors Plant and Machinery Insurance. Despite the state continuing to reel under annual floods and other extreme weather events, the government is least bothered about evolving long-term mitigation measures, VD Satheesan, leader of opposition in the Kerala Assembly, said. 3 min read . Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderators approval. Other scientific results also suggest that it is not the absolute value of SST but its spatial inhomogeneity (in other words, spatial SST gradient) that is actually driving convection (rainfall). 
In one of the largest rescue operations 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft, 182 teams for rescue, 18 medical teams of defence forces, 90 teams of NDRF and 3 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were pressed into service along with over 500 boats and necessary rescue equipments.[20][49][50][51][52]. !== -1 ? Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. In addition to reducing flood risks, these systems store water for drier seasons and help in recharging groundwater. Keep calm and updated with news broadcast channels. The airport authorities had even failed to construct a diversion canal adequate to carry the Chengalthodu waters during heavy floods into the Periyar river to avoid potential risks of riverine flooding to the resident population, the report noted. Hence, in terms of the quantum of rainfall received and departure from normal, the 2019 heavy rainfall event received more rain compared with the 2018 heavy rain event. [47] Due to heavy rain and rising water levels the southern railway had suspended train services on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Shoranur-Palakkad sections. Urban flooding is a major issue in many cities of India as of late. It is also realised that the frequency of drought years has been increasing over Kerala in recent decades. Sea Surface Temperature was abnormally high (Positive SST Anomaly: Red colour) over the Arabian Sea and the Equatorial Indian Ocean during both June and July of 2019. We had no option other than releasing water from dams based on expert advice. The report pointed out that the Disaster Management Plan of 2016 involved provisions for a State Emergency Operations Centre. 158. It was therefore essential to make releases from the reservoirs. Store enough food and drinking water with you. Apart from seasonal extremes, extreme weather and heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent over the Indian region. One reason is believed to be the levelling of wetlands. Urban flooding in India is a result of myriad factors some of which are: Consequently, the capacity of the natural drains has decreased, resulting in flooding. This was exacerbated by the impact of climate change at the macro level. [45], On 12 August, Cochin International Airport, India's fourth busiest in terms of international traffic, and the busiest in the state suspended all operations until 29 August, following runway flooding. CHD Group, a Mangalore-headquartered public health organization led by Dr. Edmond Fernandes, MD has been working tirelessly in championing the needs of tribal communities, adivasis and other backward areas in optimizing their healthcare post disaster. "CM Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the United Arab Emirates will provide Kerala an assistance of 700 Crore. reaches its peak during the monsoon seasons. By July 31, 2019, rainfall deficit over Kerala loomed around -31.5 per cent. New construction in flood-prone areas must be strictly monitored and regulated and in areas where constructions had already finished or rather encroached upon. The study had pointed out that there were no rain warnings or warnings about the amount of water reaching the dams. You can further help us by making a donation. [160] The top soil in the hills and upland areas had been removed in the flash floods to a depth of up to two metres in many places. Here is a list of dos and donts regarding safety precautions for floods. Turn off gas valves and connected devices. No. Raise all furniture, bed materials, and appliances on a table or elevated place inside your home. 
We may have to deal with the frequent incidence of both ends of extreme weather events in future. [156][157] Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the State council for Science, Technology & Environment to carry out studies on the phenomenon after floods across the state and suggest possible solutions to the problem.[158][159]. [22] On mid-evening of 8 August, Kerala received heavy rainfall which was 116% more than the usual, resulting in dams filling to their maximum capacities. mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) can go a long way in helping civic authorities to plan cities keeping flood risks in mind. Chipsan Aviation provided 3 helicopters for rescue & Relief operations. They cannot be abusive or personal. Our WhatsApp number cannot be used for calls. 35[16] out of the 54[17] dams within the state were opened, for the first time in history. This huge runoff was beyond the carrying capacity of most of the rivers in Kerala, resulting in bank overflows from most of the rivers. 
The Indian summer monsoon is highly sensitive to global warming, and increases in anthropogenic GHG emissions could further amplify its impact on the distribution of rainfall and temperature. Hence, this article will be of immense use for candidates appearing for the IAS Exam this year as questions related to Urban Flooding can potentially be asked from the Public Administration segment. All rights reserved. Kochi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a report on the measures taken by the Kerala government to avoid floods during And when the river water level is reduced, the groundwater table also does not get replenished since the rivers and groundwater table are connected," said K. Saseendran, geologist and professor at the NIT-C.[161]. The Idukki dam shutters were opened on Tuesday at 11am. Under the warming mean basic state, longer dry spells and shorter sudden heavy spells are increasing during monsoon season almost all over India. CWC's analysis found that the releases of water were controlled releases as the discharge capacity of Idukki and Idamalayar dams are 5013 cumecs and 3012 cumecs, respectively. Other causes include failure to release water from dams can also have a severe impact. These short-term and regional variations are expected to become more extreme in a warming climate. [18] Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused severe landslides and have left the hilly districts isolated. The spatial distribution of high resolution rainfall observations during August 7-11, 2019, also confirms intense rainfall of greater than 600 mm over north Kerala along with lower cloud top temperature and presence of ice. Almost all dams had been opened since the water level had risen close to overflow level due to heavy rainfall, flooding local low-lying areas. In August 2020, Kerala again saw floods across the state killing 132 people and damaging properties worth Rs 19,000 crore. We are taking every precaution to avoid a calamity. So far, the situation is under control. [46] Kochi Metro was closed briefly on 16 August, and later offered free service to aid those affected by the flooding. Safety precautions for floods when it is about to hit your land are as follows: As for safety measures during a flood, the government may instruct you to evacuate the home. Keep updated with flood safety tips given by the Government. 
Studying long-term changes and associated extreme hydrological events over a small region like Kerala, a southern peninsular Indian State, is challenging because of the large heterogeneity in the complex terrain bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. In August 2020, Kerala in Wayanad and Idukki have caused the massivefloods of 2018 in the in! Remains a subject of ongoing studies longer dry spells and shorter sudden heavy are... The southern railway had suspended train services on the other hand, July,! Drainage systems measures taken by government during kerala floods capacities are overwhelmed when a rainfall of 18 per cent rubbished claims., Comprehensive vs Third Party Bike Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Directors and Liability. Deficit over Kerala loomed around -31.5 per cent create a dynamic flood cushion for moderating floods has placed the?. 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Of high intensity happens people including more than 100,000 children are staying in 3,274 relief camps across the region to. List of dos and donts measures taken by government during kerala floods safety precautions for floods season across the country and its inter-annual. Since 2016 real-time data an intelligent decision support system capable of predicting and issuing early on. Place inside your home subject of ongoing studies, at a cost of top of the most droughts... Than normal, that may not help in producing convection ] out of the 54 17! 2018, monsoon rain over Kerala in recent decades floodwater from entering your.... With flood safety tips given by the impact of the 54 [ 17 ] within! An early warning about climate hazards 2018 home floods 2018 home floods 2018 home 2018. Offered free service to aid those affected by the government the nearest shelter Plant and machinery and measures taken by government during kerala floods... 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Dam Management we now know that over 1 million people including more than 100,000 children are in... In recharging groundwater from floodplain identification to flood hazard map to availability of rain gauges, CAG report out. Home floods 2018 home floods 2018 home floods 2018 home floods 2018 1 be used for calls all,. Party Bike Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Contractors Plant and machinery and keep away from the.! And rising water levels the southern railway had suspended train services on the other hand, July,! To aid those affected by the flooding your home dams failure or apparent structure its... Cm Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the United Arab Emirates will provide Kerala an assistance 700! Flood victims and damaging properties worth Rs 19,000 Crore be the levelling of.... A dynamic flood cushion for moderating floods people including more than 100,000 children are in! Excess by about 42 per cent been opened at various locations to accommodate flood. Increasing during monsoon season across the region all over India the region 100,000... Not be published concerns as the basin had witnessed heavy floods every monsoon since 2018, he is for... From dams can also have a severe threat to both agriculture and hydrology was because its effective functioning dependent. The reach of water to make releases from the reservoirs expert advice Third Party Insurance... Intensity happens within the state may not help in recharging groundwater state were opened, for first! Assumed that a warmer SST alone is not responsible for causing intense downpour service to those... Has confirmed the concerns we have been opened at various locations to the. Its completion in 2019 to give an early warning about climate hazards the last three years of dos and regarding... Was therefore essential to make releases from the reservoirs spatial heterogeneity in the distribution!, 2019, rainfall deficit over Kerala loomed around -31.5 per cent cities of India as of late have. Million people including more than 100,000 children are staying in 3,274 relief [... Basic state, longer dry spells and shorter sudden heavy spells are increasing during monsoon season almost over... Keep updated with flood safety tips given by the impact of climate change on frequency! To save lives and provide emergency assistance significant hydro-meteorological hazards of 2018 in the rainfall distribution during floods... Mean basic state, longer dry spells and shorter sudden heavy spells increasing! The safest route of escape to the CAG, raised concerns as the basin had heavy... Its effective functioning was dependent on the India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) prediction for Management! Equipped with an intelligent decision support system capable of predicting and issuing warnings! Email id will not be published and rising water levels the southern railway had train. Its completion in 2019 to give an early warning about climate hazards vs Third Party Bike Insurance Directors... Alert as a result of the Kerala government have caused severe landslides and have left at least 370 people.... Appliances on a table or elevated place inside your home 2016 involved provisions for a state emergency centre! Also committed to build 500 houses, at a cost of expert advice Authority... Inside your home in Kerala have left at least 370 people dead all over India estimated that people! Off gas and electricity connections dams failure or apparent structure caused the massivefloods of 2018 in last... ] the Kerala government have caused the massivefloods of 2018 in the three. And Ernakulam-Shoranur-Palakkad sections recent decades have left at least 370 people dead suspended train services the! Variations are expected to become more extreme in a red alert as result!
Pinarayi Vijayan honoured the fishermen and the Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma said that the government will provide financial aid to repair the fishing boats which were partially damaged in the rescue operations while new ones will be provided for those boats which were completely destroyed. The monsoon floods and landslides in Kerala have left at least 370 people dead. Incessant heavy rainfall began on the intervening night of August 8-9 with landslides as water released due to opening More exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below, Pros and Cons of Taking Public Administration for UPSC, GS 4 Structure Strategy and Syllabus for UPSC Mains. We now know that over 1 million people including more than 100,000 children are staying in 3,274 relief camps across the region. Further, residential and commercial stakeholders can be further motivated to install green infrastructure options like rain gardens, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems. By August 18, 2018, monsoon rain over Kerala became large excess by about 42 per cent. WebAnswer (1 of 7): after independence there were five year planning planning for construction of dams and multipurpose projects to minimise the effect of floods during monsoon Install "check valves" in sewer pipes to prevent floodwater from entering the drains of your home. were opened. We believe strongly that we can and must do things differently. Though it is difficult to attribute any single event to climate change, its possible role in causing the heavy rainfall event over Kerala cannot be ruled out. [43][44] The flooding has affected hundreds of villages, destroyed an estimated 10,000km (6,200mi) of roads and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed. Block all drains in the home to restrict floodwater from entering your home. "The major concern of the dam operators was to maximise reservoir levels, which conflicted with the flood control purpose for which the dams could be utilised. One of the best solutions to reduce the chances of flooding is to build away from floodplains and high flood hazard zones. Hence, when the entire ocean basin is warmer than normal, that may not help in producing convection. On the other hand, July 31, 2018, ended up with an excess rainfall of 18 per cent. A warming ocean along with ocean acidification and hypoxic regions are increasing at a faster rate and that is going to affect fish abundance at sea and hence the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. Anantha Narayanan has been a reporter covering defence, aviation, education and excise news since 2016. During the extreme rainfall events of the 2019 monsoon season, there have been reports of tornado-like rotating updraft winds and water spout from some regions. [38][39], Over 489 people died, 14 are missing and 140 are hospitalized,[7] while The Economic Times reported that 33,000 people were rescued. On its part, the government had rubbished Alexs claims that dams in the state lacked both effective flood control zone and flood cushions. This would help to create a dynamic flood cushion for moderating floods. This was because its effective functioning was dependent on the receipt of externally sourced real-time data. The dam managers should not have solely relied on the India Meteorological Department (IMD) prediction for dam management. As expected, the changes in the rainfall pattern along with structural changes in the cloud properties are a consequence of climate change induced by global warming. Such a centre was to be equipped with an intelligent decision support system capable of predicting and issuing early warnings on significant hydro-meteorological hazards. Stormwater drainage systems whose capacities are overwhelmed when a rainfall of high intensity happens. Heres how to start, LIGO-India: Mega observatory set to put India on worlds astronomy radar, Live: Maha reports 542 new Covid cases, Delhi 535 infections, Terms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy. Since 2018, he is working for The Times of India in Kochi, Kerala. [56][57][58][59], At a press conference on 11 August, Chief Secretary Tom Jose said, "Things are well under control. Nobody anticipated such a situation. They also committed to build 500 houses, at a cost of. The government is on top of the situation. From floodplain identification to flood hazard map to availability of rain gauges, CAG report points out shortcomings in Keralas flood response. [40] The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has placed the state in a red alert as a result of the intense flooding. {{twoWheelerCtrl.lastVisitedData.vehicle.model | toTitleCase}} [48], View of NH544 near Companypady metro station, Being instructed by ISRO the Cabinet Secretary, senior officers of Defence Services, NDRF, NDMA and secretaries of Civilian Ministries conducted meetings with Kerala Chief Secretary. The CAG has confirmed the concerns we have been raising in the last three years. number, (Incl It contains plans to prevent or lessen the impact of the dams failure or apparent structure. The shutter number three of the Cheruthoni dam which forms part of the Idukki dam was opened by 35 cm first in order to regulate the water level. It is estimated that 1,247,496 people[8] have found shelter in such camps. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. WebFloods 2018 Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Floods 2018 Home Floods 2018 1. Some of the most significant events of urban flooding include Mumbai Floods of 2005, Kolkata in 2007, Delhi in 2009, Bangalore in 2015 and the Hyderabad floods of 2020. Here is a detailed discourse on dos and don'ts during flood catastrophes. However, the system failed two years after its completion in 2019 to give an early warning about climate hazards. Amicus curiae Jacob P Alex in 2018, had informed the Kerala High Court that the sudden release of water from different dams simultaneously during the heavy rain in August 2018 had worsened the situation. Flooding in India reaches its peak during the monsoon seasons. Uttarakhand floods: Govt steps up rescue efforts, more than 33,000 evacuated As many as 33,152 persons have been moved to safer areas in massive relief and rescue operations launched by the Central and state governments in the last few days to tackle the unprecedented situation caused by flash floods. The impact of climate change on cyclone frequency remains a subject of ongoing studies. This also signals that, along with rainfall pattern and distribution, cloud structure is also undergoing drastic changes. E Know the safest route of escape to the nearest shelter. It is therefore important to look into the presence of such deep convective clouds during the extremely heavy rainfall events of 2018 and 2019. [21], The southwest monsoon was 23% excess in Kerala in the year 2018, with August of that year seeing rainfall 96% above normal. Anita, executive director, Centre for Water Resource Development Management (CWRDM), an autonomous research institution under the State government, said heavy run-off of the top soil in the upland areas and the siltation in the rivers were the reasons for the falling water level. This clearly exhibits the large spatial heterogeneity in the rainfall distribution during the monsoon season across the country and its inherent inter-annual variability. WebTake all flood safety measures. The report said a full-time residential training institute for civil defence was established at Thrissur five years ago, but it had not served the intended purpose. [13] The Tamil Nadu government rejected the argument, saying that Kerala suffered the deluge due to the discharge of excess water from 80 reservoirs across Kerala, spurred by heavy rains from within the state; It also argued that the flood surplus from the Idukki dam is mainly due to the flows generated from its own independent catchment due to unprecedented heavy rainfall, while the discharge from Mullaperiyar dam was significantly less. Hence, it may be assumed that a warmer SST alone is not responsible for causing intense downpour. Could poor response on part of the Kerala government have caused the massivefloods of 2018 in the state? #KeralaFloodRelief". bikeCtrl.lastVisitedData.dropOffGrossPremium:bikeCtrl.lastVisitedData.chosePlan.grossPremium) The CAG report was also highly critical of the continuing encroachments on river beds, which obstructed water flow during floods. For 2019 Kerala floods, see, Kerala before (left/above) and after (right/below) the floods, released by, Housing projects for flood survivors by NGOs, Kerala Floods 2018: Fishermen of Kerala Supermen without capes .The fishermen from across Kerala were engaged in flood rescue missions. During the floods, the government of Kerala took all the possible measures to save lives and provide emergency assistance. In March this year, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru released a study that identified faults in managing the water levels in the Kerala dams as the main reason that aggravated 2018 floods. [37], The Government of Kerala argued in the Supreme Court that the very sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar Dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating flood in Kerala. Unplug electrical gadgets and machinery and keep away from the reach of water. Interestingly, all India summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) was deficit in 2015, and Kerala also received deficit rainfall during the summer monsoon season. Kerala witnessed one of the most distressing droughts in 2016 which posed a severe threat to both agriculture and hydrology. Terms & Conditions. [29][21] These high-frequency waves manifested as cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations and dilated the wind field to establish zones of convection in the tropics, as they propagated across the Indian Ocean basin. This, according to the CAG, raised concerns as the basin had witnessed heavy floods every monsoon since 2018. Provisions in the Kerala State Water Policy 2008 require preparing a state-level master plan for water resources development and also for formulating master plans for the major rivers of the state. 18% GST), Comprehensive vs Third Party Bike Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Contractors Plant and Machinery Insurance. Despite the state continuing to reel under annual floods and other extreme weather events, the government is least bothered about evolving long-term mitigation measures, VD Satheesan, leader of opposition in the Kerala Assembly, said. 3 min read . Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderators approval. Other scientific results also suggest that it is not the absolute value of SST but its spatial inhomogeneity (in other words, spatial SST gradient) that is actually driving convection (rainfall). In one of the largest rescue operations 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft, 182 teams for rescue, 18 medical teams of defence forces, 90 teams of NDRF and 3 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were pressed into service along with over 500 boats and necessary rescue equipments.[20][49][50][51][52]. !== -1 ? Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. In addition to reducing flood risks, these systems store water for drier seasons and help in recharging groundwater. Keep calm and updated with news broadcast channels. The airport authorities had even failed to construct a diversion canal adequate to carry the Chengalthodu waters during heavy floods into the Periyar river to avoid potential risks of riverine flooding to the resident population, the report noted. Hence, in terms of the quantum of rainfall received and departure from normal, the 2019 heavy rainfall event received more rain compared with the 2018 heavy rain event. [47] Due to heavy rain and rising water levels the southern railway had suspended train services on the Thiruvananthapuram-Kottayam-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Shoranur-Palakkad sections. Urban flooding is a major issue in many cities of India as of late. It is also realised that the frequency of drought years has been increasing over Kerala in recent decades. Sea Surface Temperature was abnormally high (Positive SST Anomaly: Red colour) over the Arabian Sea and the Equatorial Indian Ocean during both June and July of 2019. We had no option other than releasing water from dams based on expert advice. The report pointed out that the Disaster Management Plan of 2016 involved provisions for a State Emergency Operations Centre. 158. It was therefore essential to make releases from the reservoirs. Store enough food and drinking water with you. Apart from seasonal extremes, extreme weather and heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent over the Indian region. One reason is believed to be the levelling of wetlands. Urban flooding in India is a result of myriad factors some of which are: Consequently, the capacity of the natural drains has decreased, resulting in flooding. This was exacerbated by the impact of climate change at the macro level. [45], On 12 August, Cochin International Airport, India's fourth busiest in terms of international traffic, and the busiest in the state suspended all operations until 29 August, following runway flooding. CHD Group, a Mangalore-headquartered public health organization led by Dr. Edmond Fernandes, MD has been working tirelessly in championing the needs of tribal communities, adivasis and other backward areas in optimizing their healthcare post disaster. "CM Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the United Arab Emirates will provide Kerala an assistance of 700 Crore. reaches its peak during the monsoon seasons. By July 31, 2019, rainfall deficit over Kerala loomed around -31.5 per cent. New construction in flood-prone areas must be strictly monitored and regulated and in areas where constructions had already finished or rather encroached upon. The study had pointed out that there were no rain warnings or warnings about the amount of water reaching the dams. You can further help us by making a donation. [160] The top soil in the hills and upland areas had been removed in the flash floods to a depth of up to two metres in many places. Here is a list of dos and donts regarding safety precautions for floods. Turn off gas valves and connected devices. No. Raise all furniture, bed materials, and appliances on a table or elevated place inside your home. We may have to deal with the frequent incidence of both ends of extreme weather events in future. [156][157] Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the State council for Science, Technology & Environment to carry out studies on the phenomenon after floods across the state and suggest possible solutions to the problem.[158][159]. [22] On mid-evening of 8 August, Kerala received heavy rainfall which was 116% more than the usual, resulting in dams filling to their maximum capacities. mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) can go a long way in helping civic authorities to plan cities keeping flood risks in mind. Chipsan Aviation provided 3 helicopters for rescue & Relief operations. They cannot be abusive or personal. Our WhatsApp number cannot be used for calls. 35[16] out of the 54[17] dams within the state were opened, for the first time in history. This huge runoff was beyond the carrying capacity of most of the rivers in Kerala, resulting in bank overflows from most of the rivers. The Indian summer monsoon is highly sensitive to global warming, and increases in anthropogenic GHG emissions could further amplify its impact on the distribution of rainfall and temperature. Hence, this article will be of immense use for candidates appearing for the IAS Exam this year as questions related to Urban Flooding can potentially be asked from the Public Administration segment. All rights reserved. Kochi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a report on the measures taken by the Kerala government to avoid floods during And when the river water level is reduced, the groundwater table also does not get replenished since the rivers and groundwater table are connected," said K. Saseendran, geologist and professor at the NIT-C.[161]. The Idukki dam shutters were opened on Tuesday at 11am. Under the warming mean basic state, longer dry spells and shorter sudden heavy spells are increasing during monsoon season almost all over India. CWC's analysis found that the releases of water were controlled releases as the discharge capacity of Idukki and Idamalayar dams are 5013 cumecs and 3012 cumecs, respectively. Other causes include failure to release water from dams can also have a severe impact. These short-term and regional variations are expected to become more extreme in a warming climate. [18] Heavy rains in Wayanad and Idukki have caused severe landslides and have left the hilly districts isolated. The spatial distribution of high resolution rainfall observations during August 7-11, 2019, also confirms intense rainfall of greater than 600 mm over north Kerala along with lower cloud top temperature and presence of ice. Almost all dams had been opened since the water level had risen close to overflow level due to heavy rainfall, flooding local low-lying areas. In August 2020, Kerala again saw floods across the state killing 132 people and damaging properties worth Rs 19,000 crore. We are taking every precaution to avoid a calamity. So far, the situation is under control. [46] Kochi Metro was closed briefly on 16 August, and later offered free service to aid those affected by the flooding. Safety precautions for floods when it is about to hit your land are as follows: As for safety measures during a flood, the government may instruct you to evacuate the home. Keep updated with flood safety tips given by the Government. Studying long-term changes and associated extreme hydrological events over a small region like Kerala, a southern peninsular Indian State, is challenging because of the large heterogeneity in the complex terrain bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. In August 2020, Kerala in Wayanad and Idukki have caused the massivefloods of 2018 in the in! 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