Report of the National Task Force for a Special Study of Islands to Assess Vulnerability to various Hazards and Suggest Mitigation/Prevention Measures

Govt. of Ministry of Home Affairs, Disaster Management Division

September, 2005

September, 2005

Shri Ashim Khurana Joint Secretary (DM) Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India New -110 011

Dear Shri Khurana,

Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a National Task Force for a special study of Lakshdweep Islands to assess vulnerability to various hazards and suggest mitigation / prevention measures vide OM No. 31-02-2005-NDM II dated 30th March, 2005. Members/ Co-opted Members of the Task Force included representatives of various line Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and a representative of the Lakshadweep Administration with Prof. A.S.Arya, National Seismic Advisor as the Chairman and Dr.J.K.Prasad, Chief BMTPC as its Member Secretary, As per the Terms of Reference, the Task Force conducted four meetings and some of the members visited Lakshdweep Islands. Based on the deliberations as well as findings of the field visit, the Task Force has prepared the report related to vulnerability of these islands to various natural and man made hazards and recommended certain immediate and long term mitigation and preventive measures to address these issues.

I take this opportunity to submit this Report to the Ministry for its consideration and expeditious action as appropriate, on the relevant issues/ action points recommended by the Task Force.

I and the other Members of this Task Force thank the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs for giving us an opportunity to pool our knowledge and make contributions towards natural disaster reduction in India.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. A.S.Arya Chairman, National Task Force

ii

Members of Task Force

S.No. Organisation Representaive 1 Ministry of Home Affairs Dr.A.S.Arya, Chairman National Seismic Advisor 2 BMTPC, New Delhi Sh.J.K.Prasad, Member Secretary Chief (Building Materials) 3 India Metrological Department Sh.A.K.Bhatnagar DDGM (S) 4 Department of Ocean Development, Dr.B.K.Subramaniam Project Director, Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management 5 Geological Survey of India, Sh.K.S.Adiga Director (Geology) 6 National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad Dr.K.Vinod Kumar Director 7 Department of Space & Technology, New Dr.B.K.Bansal Delhi Director (Seismology) 8 Central Water Commission, New Delhi Sh.A.K.Valsalan Director (CED) 9 Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai Prof.A.Meher Prasad Deptt. Of Civil Engineering 10 Survey of India, New Delhi Sh.R.M.Tripathi Director, Western Printing 11 Department of Space, New Delhi Dr.V.S.Hegde Associate Program Director (DMS) 12 Lakshadweep Administration, Lakshadweep Collector cum Development Commissioner & Relief Commissioner 13 Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Sh.K.Sekhar Highway, Port Blair Deputy Chief Engineer, Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) 14 Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi No representative Co-opted Members 15 Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi Sh.P.G.Sarpotdar, Advisor Communication 16 Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi Dr.E.V.Muley Advisor, NCRM Project (Environment Issues)

iii CONTENTS

Preface viii Acknowledgements ix Acronyms x Executive Summary 1 - 7

CHAPTER 1. The Lakshadweep Islands (Including Geological setup) 8 - 12 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Origin of Lakshadweep Islands 1.3 History and Background 1.4 Location 1.5 Geographic Features 1.6 Geomorphology 1.7 Climate 1.8 Ecology & Environment 1.9 Demographic Features 1.10 Socio-economic Profile & Livelihood 1.11 Techno-legal Frame Work 2. Natural Hazards and Vulnerability in the Islands 13 - 18 2.1 Natural hazards - Historical Perspective 2.2 Earthquakes 2.3 Cyclonic Storms & Wind Speeds 2.4 Storm – Surges 2.5 Rainfall inundation 2.6 Flood Prone Areas of Lakshadweep Islands 2.7 Inundation of Sea Water in the Islands of Lakshadweep 2.8 Costal Erosion 2.9 Wave Power Potential 2.10 Sea Level Rise 2.11 Tsunamis 3. Cyclone of 2004: A Case Study 19 - 22 3.1 Effect of Cyclone on Some of the Islands of Lakshadweep during 5th – 7th may, 2004 3.2 Islands 3.3 Amini Islands 3.4 Islands 3.5 Agatti Islands 3.6 Observations with Specific reference to hazards & Vulnerability During Field Visit by the Members of the task Force to some of the Islands on 4th – 5th June, 2005

iv 4. Man Made Hazards 23 - 24 4.1 Fire 4.2 Oil Slicks 4.3 Marine Pollution 4.4 Tourism 5. Vulnerability Assessment 25 - 29 5.1 Geographical Isolation 5.2 Insularity & Remoteness 5.3 Small size of Islands and Population Pressure 5.4 Communication and Transport 5.5 Socio-economic Vulnerability 5.6 Environmental Vulnerability 5.7 Ecosystem Vulnerability 5.8 Status of Infrastructure Development & Physical Factors Contributing to the Vulnerability of Lakshadweep Islands to natural hazards. 5.8.1 Disaster Mitigation Capability 5.8.2 Demographic Factors 5.8.3 Economic factors 5.8.4 Infrastructure Losses 5.8.5 Economic Losses 5.8.6 Shelters 5.8.7 Residential & Official Buildings 5.8.8 Drinking Water 5.8.9 Ground Water Availability 5.8.10 Sanitation 5.8.11 Health 5.8.12 Solid Waste Disposal 5.8.13 Energy Requirement 6. Mitigation & Prevention: Preparedness and Existing Status 30 - 36 6.1 Disaster Preparedness 6.2 Disaster management Policy 6.3 Techno-legal Frame Work 6.4 Institutional & Administrative Fame Work 6.5 The Lakshadweep Disaster Management Authority 6.6 Financial Mechanism 6.7 Communication & Connectivity 6.7.1 Communication 6.7.2 Connectivity 6.8 Early Warning System 6.9 Emergency Communication Facilities 6.9.1 Emergency Communication facilities 6.9.2 Issues Related to Normal Communication Services 6.9.3 Emergency Communication facilities (Planned)

v 6.10 Effect of Natural Disasters on Existing Communication Facilities 6.11 Suggested Emergency Communication System 6.12 Emergency Communication Facilities at Other Islands 7. Mitigation and Prevention: Proposed Measures 37 - 42 7.1 Need for Spatial Database & Long term Disaster Mitigation Strategies 7.2 Role of Satellite & Geo-spatial Technology for the Islands 7.3 Human Resource Development – Training & Capacity Building 7.4 Improving Infrastructure 7.5 Improving Disaster Management 7.6 Proposed Studies 7.6.1 Tasks to be carried out 7.6.2 Data Required & Sources 7.6.3 Proposed Action Plans. 8. Recommendations of the Task Force: Immediate & Long Term implementation measures 43 – 52 8.1 Training & capacity Building 8.2 Communication 8.3 Mitigation/Protection Measures 8.4 Preparedness 8.5 Connectivity 8.5.1 Air Link 8.5.2 Sea Link 8.6 Studies for Storm Surge & Tsunami Inundation 8.7 Need for Spatial Database for Long term Disaster Mitigation Strategies 8.8 Frame Work for Disaster Management Plan 8.9 Techno-legal frame Work 8.10 Table for Recommendation TABLES Table 1.1 Island-wise Area, Elevation & Population of Lakshadweep (2001 Census) Table 2.1 List of Earthquakes between Latitude 6.00 N to 14.00 N and Longitude 70.00 E to 76.00 E (Events Listed in IMD Catalogue) Table 2.2 Criteria followed by India Metrological Department (IMD) to classify cyclonic wind systems. Table 2.3 Mean Wind Speed in knots in Two Islands of Lakshadweep Table 2.4 Number of Storms and Depressions in Lakshadweep Islands during last 115 years ending 2004 Table 2.5 Rainfall in mm for Amini & Islands from 1992 – 2001 Table 6.1 Emergency Communication Equipment for use at Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).

vi Table 6.2 Budgetary Cost of Equipments for Emergency Operation Centre. Table 6.3 Budgetary Cost of Equipments Table 6.4 Emergency Communication Facilities. Table 7.1 Data required for Surge & Tsunami Modeling. Table 7.2 Actions/Steps & Possible Istitutions/Organisations. Table 8.1 Vulnerability Issues & Recommendations Table 8.2 Management Issues & Recommendations FIGURES Figure 6.1 Existing Transmission Links in Lakshadweep Islands ANNEXURES 53 - 68 Annex I Constitution and Terms of Reference of the Task Force. Annex II Background information of Lakshadweep islands. Annex III Elements of Response Mechanism. Annex IV Status of Telephone Systems in Lakshadweep. Annex V List of Floating Crafts/Tools and Plants Vehicles available with ALHW at various Islands. Annex VI Details of the Crafts/Boats under various Departments Annex VII Island -wise availability of Mechanised Fishing Boats as on 2003 Annex VIII Details of Three Wheelers and Four Wheelers registered in Lakshadweep as on 31.12.2003 Annex IX Buildings identified as Cyclone Shelters on various Islands of Lakshadweep Annex X Normal Monthly and annual Rainfall on various Islands of Lakshadweep. MAPS 1. Lakshadweep Islands – Historical Earthquake Epicenters 2. Agatti (Contour Map) 3. Amini (Contour Map) 4. (Contour Map) 5. Bangaram (Contour Map) 6. Chetlat (Contour Map) 7. Kadmat (Contour Map) 8. (Contour Map) 9. Kavaratti (Land Use Map including Contours) 10. Kiltan (Contour Map) 11. Minicoy (Contour Map) 12. Kavaratti ( Inundation Map)

vii Preface

The of Lakshadweep comprises of a group of islands in the between latitude 8o E and 12o 30' N and between longitude 71o and 74o E and are located at a distance ranging from 200 km to 400 km from the mainland. There are in all 27 islands, 3 reefs and 6 submerged sandbanks. Only 10 islands are inhabited with very low ground elevation in meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). These islands are Agatti: 3.0- 6.0 m, Amini: 0.5-2.5, Andrott: 1.0-7.0m, : 0.8-4.0m, Chetlat: 1.5-5.5 m, Kadmat:2.5-6.5, Kalpeni: 1.5-5.5m, Kavaratti:2.0-6.0m, Kiltan: 0.6-4.0 and Minicoy: 1.5- 70m. One islands Bangaram and one island Bangaram (-0.1 to 0.4m only) has a tourist resort only.

The total geographical area of the territory is 32 sq. km. All land is classified as agricultural land and the land use area is 28.5 sq. km. According to 2001 Census, the inhabited Islands had a total population of 60595.

The Lakshadweep group of islands viz. Kavaratti, Amini, Kiltan and Agatti witnessed a very damaging cyclonic storm event during 5th – 7th May 2004.

Concerned with the likely hazards and the vulnerabilities in these low contour islands situated in isolation in the huge Arabian Sea, the Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a National Task Force vide OM No.31-2/2005-NDM-II dated 30th March 2005 to carry out a special study of the Lakshadweep islands to assess vulnerability to various hazards and suggest mitigation /prevention measures.

As per the terms of reference, the Task Force conducted 5 meetings and some of the members visited Lakshadweep Islands. Based on the deliberations as well as findings of the field visit, the Task Force has prepared the report related to vulnerability of these islands to various natural and man made hazards and certain mitigation and prevention measures to address these issues.

Accordingly, this report has been prepared to identify the natural and man made hazards and the major factors underlying or enhancing the vulnerabilities. Recommendations are made for immediate as well as long terms measures to reduce the risk in future. Task Force recommends some immediate measures to reduce the isolation of the islands by better connectivity electronically as well as by air and sea travel facilities.

Anand S. Arya September, 2005 Chairman, National Task Force

viii Acknowledgement

The National Task Force places on record its appreciation for the help and guidance provided by JS (DM) Shri Ashim Khurana and Director (DM II), Shri Reddy Nagabhushan Rao during its working as well as organization of the visit to the Lakshadweep Islands. Thanks are due to Shri Parimal Rai, Lakshadweep Administrator and Shri Madhup Vyas, Collectoer cum Development Commissioner, and their team of officers for facilitating visit of the Task Force members to the Islands and providing the necessary data and concerns of the population.

Chairman National Task Force

ix Acronyms

ALHW Andaman and Lakshadweep Harbour Works ALTM Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping BMTPC Building Material and Technology Promotion Council BSNL Bhartiya Sanchar Nigam Limited CESS Centre for Earth Science Studies COMAPS Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System CRZ Coastal Regulation Zone DOD Department of Ocean Development DoS Department of Space EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EOC Emergency Operations Center GIS Geographical Information System GSI Geological Survey of India HSD High Speed Diesel HTL High Transmission Line HTL High Tide Line HWL High Water Line ICEF India-Canada Environment Facility ICMAM Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management IMD India Meteorological Department IS Indian Standard IT Information Technology LHW Lakshadweep Harbour Works LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas MHA Ministry of Home Affairs MAP Management Action Plan MSL Mean Sea Level NECP National Emergency Communication Plant NGO Non Governmental Organisation NHO National Hydro Graphic Oraganisation NIC National Informatics Centre NIDM National Institute of Disaster Management NIO National Institute of Oceanography NIOT National Institute of Ocean Technology NRSA National Remote Sensing Agency PA Public Address System PWD Public Works Department SAC Space Application Centre SOI Survey of India TAX Trunk Automatic Exchange TOT Training of Trainers UHF Ultra High Frequency UPS Uninterrupted Power Supply UT Union Territory

x Executive Summary

1. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep comprises of a group of islands in the Arabian Sea between latitude 8o E and 12o 30' N and between longitude 71o and 74o E and are located at a distance ranging from 200 km to 400 km from the mainland. There are in all 27 islands, 3 reefs and 6 submerged sandbanks. Only 10 islands are inhabited (Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy) and one island (Bangaram) has a tourist resort only.

2. Each island is fringed by coral sands, and is marked by huge, shallow, calm lagoon on the western side which separates it from incoming swells of the outer sea by the wall of a reef made- up of massive coral boulders and live corals.

3. A common feature of these islands is that a shallow lagoon exists invariably in their western side separating the outer reef rim from low-lying coral islands composed essentially of calcareous sand and soil. The total geographical area of the territory is 32 sq. km. All land is classified as agricultural land and the land use area is 28.5 sq. km. The lagoons cover 4200 sq. km. with 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters and about 0.4 million sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Length of coastline of UT of Lakshadweep is 132 km.

4. Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a National Task Force for a special study of Lakshdweep Islands to assess vulnerability to various hazards and suggest mitigation /prevention measures vide OM No. 31-02-2005-NDM II dated 30th March, 2005 (Annex.I).

5. Members/ Co-opted Members of the Task Force included representatives of various line Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and a representative of the Lakshadweep Administration with Prof. A.S.Arya, National Seismic Advisor as the Chairman and Dr.J.K.Prasad, Chief BMTPC as its Member Secretary.

6. The Task Force conducted four meetings and some of the members visited Lakshdweep Islands. Based on the deliberations as well as findings of the field visit, the Task Force has prepared the report related to vulnerability of these islands to various natural and man made hazards and recommended certain immediate and long term mitigation and preventive measures to address these issues.

7. Based on the available information and visit to these Islands, it can be concluded that Lakshadweep Islands are vulnerable to various natural and man-made hazards. Since these islands are surrounded by the vast ocean they are subjected to storms, cyclones and heavy rains.

8. One of the earliest natural calamities recorded was the great storm that stretched the islands in April 1847. In 1891, a violent storm struck upon Kavaratti, Island causing considerable damage to coconut trees. The storm did a great deal of damage in Agatti and its attached islets and the Amindivi group of islands. Other major storms to have hit the islands are Kalpeni Island in 1922, Kavaratti in 1941, and Andrott in 1963, Andrott and Kalpeni in 1965 and 1977, respectively.

9. The last cyclone to have hit the islands was in May 2004, which impacted Kavaratti Amini, Kiltan Agatti and Kadmat islands. Whenever a cyclone or a storm hits the islands, the first causality is the coconut trees and the fruits followed by disruption of fishing activities affecting

1 the livelihood of the local people. These events also lead to losses to physical and social infrastructure and in the longer run, set back the pace of development on these islands.

10. Even though earthquakes have not been reported to have occurred so far in this , Lakshadweep Islands have been reported to have moderate seismicity. The faults running parallel to the west coast of the mainland of India have the potential of generating M 6.0 earthquakes, hence causing MSK VII shaking in the islands. Accordingly, these islands have been classified as Seismic Zone- III as per IS: 1893-1984, which is, refereed to as Moderate Damage Risk Zone of MSK VII in the Vulnerability Atlas of India.

11. Recent reports indicate that the seas in the west coast of India are as Tsunami prone as in the east coast. Though effect of the recent Tsunami was not adversely felt in and around Lakshadweep except for some minor effects in Minicoy and Andrott, yet the smallness of the size of these islands and their geographical segregation makes them vulnerable to any kind of Tsunami threat.

12. Coastal erosion is one of the serious problems being faced by the Lakshadweep group of islands. Studies on baseline data on erosion and the accretion cycle were carried out by the Center for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, in four islands viz. Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini and Bangaram during 1990-1993 and for other four islands viz. Kadmat, Chetlet, Kiltan and Bitra during 1997-2001. These studies reveal net accretion of 21.43-m3/ m in Kadmat and 11.05 m3/m in Chetlet islands during the study period. The Kiltan Island showed net accretion as well as seasonal erosion at certain stretches. Major part of the of Kiltan island has been undergoing erosion on the east coast.

13. The wave climate and power potential of the seas surrounding Lakshadweep islands studied by the CESS using wave data collected with a Direction Wave rider Buoy deployed off Kavaratti reveals that Lakshadweep sea is influenced by the southwest monsoonal winds. Waves generally do not exceed the height of 5 m during November-March. During southwest monsoon the dominant values of maximum wave height is around 5 m and during the non-monsoon season it is around 1.4 m. The significant wave heights range from 0.4 to 4.7 m, the lowest being observed in February and the highest in August. The maximum wave height observed during the one year period is 8.95 m in August.

14. Thunderstorms mostly occur in the months of April to June and October and November. Squalls though occasional, are more frequent in the northern islands than in the south. They occur in association with thunderstorms in May and during the southwest monsoon season. A few of the cyclonic depressions and storms, which form in the south Arabian Sea during April and May, affect the weather over the territory. During the post monsoon months of October to December also, a few of such systems originating in the Bay of Bengal and travelling westwards emerge into the south Arabian Sea, and occasionally affect these islands. In association with these, strong winds are caused and heavy rains occur. According to the available information for 115 years reveals that 27 storms and depressions have affected the Lakshadweep region during April - December.

15. Based on the data available from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the mean wind speed in Lakshadweep Islands during May- September ranges between 6.10 - 9.25 knots in Minicoy and 7.35 - 12.54 knots in Amini islands suggesting thereby that these speeds do not generally exceed the Wind Speeds associated with a low-pressure area.

2 16. The annual rainfall in the Lakshadweep Islands generally decreases from south to north; but southwest monsoon rainfall (during June to September) increases from south to north. Similarly, the variation in the rainfall from year to year increases from south to north.

17. Lakshadweep Islands are one of the low-lying small group of islands in the world and accordingly face the risks of, inundation of seawater due to storm surges as well as due to Tsunami waves. These threats are associated with several uncertainties like the global warming leading to sea level rise, which is a slow and long-term process. The contour maps of the Islands are attached to this report.

18. The low level of Lakshadweep islands also make them vulnerable to sea level rise and its consequent impact. As such, the foremost future threat to these island chains is potential global climate change. During 1998 the strongest El Nino was recorded in Lakshadweep islands leading to rise in temperature in a range of 3-5o C above normal which resulted into severe coral bleaching, with mortality rates as high as 90% in some parts of these Islands. Rising sea levels may also lead to potentially acute erosion.

19. The Lakshadweep group of islands viz. Kavaratti, Amini, Kiltan and Agatti witnessed a cyclonic storm event during 5th -7th May, 2004. The assessment of the impact of the cyclone on these islands done by Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvanthapuram reported inundation of low- lying areas at various places in Kavaratti, Amini and Kiltan islands. On the eastern coast, 8-10 breaches with a width of 10-30 m and depth ranging from 1-1.5m have been reported.

20. The devastation by the cyclone in many areas in the island resulting in uprooting and twisting of coconut trees, blowing away of roof tiles, damages to the buildings, loss of domestic animals etc was also noticed. The coir factory on the western side was submerged due to floodwater run-off.

21. Studies on Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for Lakshadweep Islands carried by CESS have identified the flood prone in Lakshadweep islands based on the data on land elevation. Inundation maps of two Islands are attached with this report as examples where the land use is also shown.

22. The Lakshadweep islands are directly on the trade route between , Arabia and Malabar. This has resulted into a dramatic increase in passenger and cargo traffic of sailing vessels. These passenger and cargo ships dump untreated waste into the sea around the islands as well as discharge waste oil leading to severe pollution and damage to the coral reef ecosystem.

23. Based on the available information on transportation, storage, handling and usage of diesel, petrol, LPG and kerosene for domestic and industrial use as well as use of ATF meant for helicopters and explosives required for harbour department, Lakshadweep islands are vulnerable to fire hazard. It is reported that the total quantity of inflammable liquids used by islands has been estimated to be around 70 lakhs liters per annum.

24. Studies carried out by CESS under the project of Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS) indicate that the coral reef ecosystem is subjected to stress mainly due to anthropogenic pressures.

25. Assessment of vulnerability of Lakshadweep Islands to both the natural and man-made hazards becomes multifold mainly due to their insularity, remoteness and geographical isolation

3 from the mainland. Similarly, small size of these islands also acts as a barrier leading to high levels of vulnerability.

25. As the islands lie scattered in the Arabian Sea, whenever a natural calamity occurs, the lifelines of these islands viz. communication and transportation are disrupted and the link between mainland and islands becomes non-functional. Since ship is the only mode of transportation for the local people it cannot ply between the islands during the period of disaster and the local people get stranded at their respective places. Similarly, the embarkation/disembarkation from ship to shore also gets disrupted because of the high seas and high-speed wind. The houses are also prone to damage caused due to the high-speed wind and falling of coconut trees on it.

26. As per the recent Census Report (2001), Lakshadweep has the third largest population density in the country. This leads to limited carrying capacity of these Islands in terms of infrastructure and their dependence on natural resources.

27. The main infrastructure on the island consists of roads and buildings, ports and harbors, airports and helipads, boats, crafts and catamarans, automobiles and vehicles, communication facilities etc. (Annexures IV-VIII) Taking into consideration the remoteness of these islands and the nature and magnitude of the vulnerabilities, the infrastructural facilities are inadequate to cope up with the required demand.

28. The main livelihood operations for the people of Lakshadweep are coconut cultivation and fishing, both these activities at the time of calamities get disrupted. The uprooting of coconut trees and loss of standing coconut crops sets back the economy of Lakshadweep immediately for a minimum period of 2 years. Since fishing is not possible during such times, the people suffer immediate losses to their day-to-day livelihood options. In the longer run losses to physical and social infrastructure sets back the pace of development.

29. The Lakshadweep has a total population of about 65,000 with a sex ratio of 1:1. Each of the inhabited islands has a junior, Senior Basic Schools as well as Nursery Schools and Madarsas. Some of these schools have been identified as shelters incase of an emergency. It has been observed that these schools have been located on the ground elevation of the island, which is prone to inundation during heavy rains as well as cyclonic conditions. These schools have limited drinking water, sanitary facilities as well as facilities for storage of civil supplies during an emergency and have not adequate facilities to accommodate more than 50% of the population during the time of disaster. The maximum wave height observed during the one year period is 8.95 m in August. The constructions of most of these schools are not in tune with the recommended design criteria.

30. It has also been noticed that most of the residential and office buildings on Lakshadweep Islands are constructed using bricks and coralline sand mixed up with the concrete material. Most of the houses have been provided with the roofs covered with Mangalore tiles or the galvanized sheets. These houses have been constructed at low plinth level of the islands and are prone to inundation. The criteria for earthquake safe construction have not been followed while constructing these buildings.

31. The Lakshadweep islands being coralline in nature have a high porosity leading to salinity ingress and accordingly have limited source of drinking water required for the population. The major source of drinking water is through rainwater, which is collected through Rain Water Harvesting System and stored in tanks and distributed through a network of pipes. 920 such tanks

4 with 10,000 lt capacity each have been constructed on different islands through the grants received from the India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) and have been operational on various islands. Besides this, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has installed a desalination Plant at a cost of Rs. 5 crore at Kavaratti. This plant with a capacity of 1-lakh liters per day is expected to augment the drinking water supply to Kavaratti. It is proposed that each of the island should be provided with a Desalination Plant with a suitable capacity so as to fulfill the needs of the community at all the times and during disasters in particular.

32. The fresh Ground Water Resource of the tiny coral of Lakshadweep, by and large, occurs as lenses floating in hydraulic continuity in seawater. The hydro-geological environment of these islands is complex. The terrain is mostly flat and the surface and near-surface coral medium is porous and permeable. Rainfall, averaging about 1600mm annually, is the sole source of groundwater recharge in these islands. Cases of increased extraction from these fragile lenses and resulting salinization were reported from many islands where pumping activity has been on the increase, specially, during last two decades. This necessitates a detailed study in all the inhabited islands of Lakshadweep, to delineate the geometry of the fresh ground water lenses, to evaluate their storage potential, and to assess the sustainable rate of production in order to suggest appropriate, futuristic groundwater development and management options for the island territory.

33. The individual houses have not been provided with sanitary facilities. It was informed that the attempts to provide bio-toilets as well as community toilets and the sewage treatment systems have failed in the past because of incompatible technologies or traditional faith of the local population. As such, the untreated sewage directly enters into the sea affecting the coral reef ecosystem. This also leads to out burst of common water-borne diseases as well as epidemics such as Diarrhea, Cholera, Gastroenteritis, Dysentery, Infective Hepatitis, Poliomyelitis, Malaria/Filaria and some of the skin diseases particularly during the time of disaster. An urgent need for provision of sanitary facilities with suitable technologies is recognized for all the islands.

34. Even though the Administration has a provision of Medical Officer attached to a Community Health Center on each of the inhabited island and a First-aid center at Bitra Island, there is dearth of medical specialists on most of these islands. Inadequacy of the medical staff and the specialists as well as poor medical aid during the time of disaster acts as a limiting factor leading to vulnerability of these islands to disasters. Special efforts to recruit doctors with a mandatory time frame to work on islands are urgently required so as to address these gaps. Arrangement needs to be considered for extra manpower, doctors, paramedics as well as storage and distribution of medicines.

35. Lakshadweep Administration has banned the use of plastics and non-biodegradable materials on islands. In the event of an accidental use of such materials, they are collected and incinerated on the islands. The mechanism for disposal of other biodegradable materials is being developed in a phased manner.

36. The major energy requirements of the local population are being fulfilled by the diesel run gensets for which the diesel is imported in containers from the mainland and transported from island to island through boats. No standards procedures and norms are followed in the transport and storage of diesel, which may result, into a disaster itself in case of any accident. Even though solar panels are being used for street lighting, the use of non-conventional energy sources is strongly recommended. The requirement of fuel is fulfilled through use of coconut husk.

37. Tourism is an important source of income for the islands population, and Lakshadweep is becoming increasing popular with both domestic and foreign tourist their numbers and activities

5 need to be carefully monitored and controlled as they cause a threat to the ecology of the island. Carelessness by tourists can disturb the habitat of corals due to walking on the reefs, anchoring of boats as well as release of untreated sewage and deposal of garbage as well as non-biodegradable solid wastes. Similarly, tourism related infrastructure development may also affect carrying capacity of these islands leading to pressure on natural resources. In addition destructive practices such as coral mining, dredging of navigational channels, unsustainable fishing practices, coastal development and souvenir collection are some of the major causes of environmental degradation on Lakshadweep islands.

38. The Lakshadweep islands are geographically isolated and have presently been connected to the mainland () through air, ship/ vessels and helicopters. Accordingly, the Airport, helipads, jetties, Harbors and Ramps have been created on these islands with the provisions of big vessels, equipment's, winches, and cranes etc. But these are inadequate not only in emergencies but in normal times too.

39. Cyclone warning in Lakshadweep is provided from the Area Cyclone Warning Center at Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. The Meteorological Department has got two centers in Lakshadweep, one in Minicoy and other in Amini. The warning signals received at the control room functioning at the Collectorate are disseminated to all the islands through fax, phone and police wireless. The communication systems are found deficient in emergencies. 40. The shore protection measure includes shelterbelt plantation along with the use of coral boulders.

41. Most of the areas on these islands visited by the members of the Task Force are covered with coconut plantations and no other vegetation as well as agricultural practices has been noticed on these islands. The livestock population is limited to a few cows, goats and the chicken, which are normally used by the local community as their livelihood.

42. It was reported that the Internet connectivity at Kavaratti as well as on some of the other islands provided by BSNL has a very slow speed and as such the communication required at the time of disaster, cannot be established with the mainland as well as from island to island. The mobile connectivity provided by BSNL is also, not compatible with the other cellular systems. It was also noted that communication facilities are inadequate. As such these islands are totally isolated both from the mainland as well as from the other islands. It is therefore proposed that Emergency Communication Facilities covering establishment of Emergency Operation Center at Kavaratti with the specifications and criteria recommended for the same and provided with back- up power supply as well as V-SAT links and POLNET.

43. Lakshadweep Islands (Agatti) are connected to the mainland (Kochi) by an Indian Air Line flight flying three days in a week. This flight has got limited capacity of 18 passengers on board. Besides this a Pawan Hans helicopter with capacity of 5-6 persons available with the Lakshadweep Administration is used as an Ambulance service for carrying patients from islands to the mainland during an emergency. The utility of this helicopter becomes very limited during the time of the disaster. The landing facilities as well as runway at Agatti are inadequate to land the carriers with higher capacities. Numbers of helipads are also limited on different islands. As such the connectivity and transport from mainland to the islands as well as between other islands has been very poor and inadequate in an event of disaster.

44. It was also informed that the ship/vessel service operates between Kochi to Agatti connecting all the other inhabited islands once in a week. This facility is available for the islanders, the local officials as well as the tourists coming from the mainland to the islands. The

6 local boat services also operate from island to island to commute the passengers and provide essential services to the local communities. Besides this, there are inter-island ferries and passenger boats with various capacities plying between one island to another island are in operation at all the inhabited islands. In addition to this, there are four cargo ships of 670 t capacities plying between Kochi to Kavaratti and four ships with different capacities are based at Kochi for regular use in islands. The Tourism Department also operates eight boats, which are leased to the Sports Department at Kadmat and Minicoy, which are mostly in defective condition. It was however, noted that the connectivity to the island is inadequate to cater to the needs of the islanders and the local Administration during the hazards.

45. The embarkation facilities covering jetties are provided for 15 islands in Lakshadweep. Most of the jetties cater to the needs of the fishing communities. Four more jetties have been sanctioned at Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy and Amini islands of which the work on the Agatti and Minicoy islands is in progress.

46. From the foregoing account, it is evident that Lakshadweep islands are at risk from the natural hazards like storms, cyclones, sea level rise, rainfall and the associated factors like winds, waves, atmospheric pressure, storm surges, tsunamis, etc. In such events, the islands are likely to be inundated due to these forces and because of their low elevation levels from MSL. It is therefore proposed that studies on Storm surge modeling, Tsunami wave propagation modeling, inundation mapping and areas of inundation at different scenarios may be taken up through the institutions actively involved in these activities.

47. Based on the discussions held with various officials of the Lakshadweep Administration, elected representatives of the community as well as the vulnerability and hazard scenario in Lakshadweep islands and existing status of infrastructure and framework of Disaster Management in Lakshadweep, the Task Force has recommended certain short term and long term measures for implementation so as to address the relevant issues on priority: (see Chapter 8)

7 Chapter 1

THE LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Union Territory of Lakshadweep comprises of a group of islands in the Arabian Sea between latitude 8o and 12o 30' N and between longitude 71o and 74o E. There are in all 27 islands, 3 reefs and 6 submerged sandbanks. Only 10 islands are inhabited (Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy) and one island (Bangaram) has a tourist resort only.

Each island is fringed by coral sands, and is marked by huge, shallow, calm lagoon on the western side which separates it from incoming swells of the outer sea by the wall of a reef made- up of massive coral boulders and live corals.

A common feature of these islands is that a shallow lagoon exists invariably in their western side separating the outer reef rim from low-lying coral islands composed essentially of calcareous sand and soil. The total geographical area of the territory is 32 sq. km. All land is classified as agricultural land and the land use area is 28.5 sq. km. The lagoons cover 4200 sq. km. with 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters and about 0.4 million sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Length of coastline of UT of Lakshadweep is 132 km.

Recent study made by Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, indicates that elevation of the Lakshadweep islands range from 0.5-7.0m above mean sea level. Considering the low elevation levels, it is imperative that the danger from storm tides is tremendous.

1.2 ORIGIN OF LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

The origin of Lakshdweep Islands is attributed to theory of Sir Charles Darwin, the renowned evolutionist according to whom the origin of these Islands can be traced to gradual submergence of some of the volcanic ridge into the followed by accumulation of coralline deposits on the peaks and craters of these mountains, These deposits grew into coral islands resting on submerged mountaintops over a period of time. The islands are mostly coralline and their alignment appears to be in continuation of the Aravalli Strike of Rajasthan.

Each island is fringed by coral sands, and is marked by a huge, shallow, calm lagoon on one the western side which separates it from incoming swells of the outer sea by the wall of a reef made-up of massive coral boulders and live corals.

A common feature of these islands is that a shallow lagoon exists invariably in their western side separating the outer reef rim from low-lying coral islands composed essentially of calcareous sand and soil.

1.3 HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Lakshadweep means a hundred thousand islands. This spectacular Island group is believed to have been discovered by shipwrecked sailors during the reign of Cherman Perumal, the legendary king of in the 4th century A.D. Before moving into the hands of the British, held sway in the Islands after defeating the oppressive rulers of Arackal.

8

The Union Territory was formed in 1956 and was named Lakshadweep in 1973. All the Islands now constitute one district for Administration with four Tehsils. The Administrative Head Quarters is at Kavaratti with the Administrator as the Head of the Union Territory. Each Island has a democratic set up with elected members. At Union Territory level, there is a DISTRICT Panchayat with members elected from each village /Dweep Panchayat

1.4. LOCATION

These Islands are located in the Arabian Sea between latitude 8o and 12o 30' N and between longitude 71o and 74o E at a distance ranging from 200 km to 400 km from Kochi- the mainland of Kerala coast.

The islands are grouped into clusters as follows:

• group: ( consisting of 5 inhabited islands) 1)Amini 2)Kadmat 3) Kiltan 4) Chetlat 5) Bitra

• Laccadive group: ( consisting of 4 inhabited and 12 uninhabited islands) 1) Andrott 2) Kavaratti 3) Agatti 4) Kalpeni 5) Kalpitti 6) Bangaram 7) Tinnakkara 8) Parali 9) Tilakkam 10) 11) Cheriyam 12) Suheli 13) Valiyakara 14) Pakshi Pitti and 15) Kodithala ( the first four are inhabited)

• Minicoy group: ( consisting of 2 islands) 1) Minicoy, 2) Veiningili (only Minicoy is inhabited)

• Submerged Reefs 1) Beliapani ( Chebeniani) 2) Cheriapani ( Byramgore) 3) Perumul Par

• Submerged banks 1) Bassas de Pedro 2) Sesostris Bank 3) 4) Amini Pitti and 5) Kalpeni Bank

1.5 GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

There are in all 27 islands, 3 reefs and 6 submerged sandbanks. Only 10 islands are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy.

The total geographical area of Lakshdweep Islands is 32 sq. km and the land use area is 28.5 sq. km Length of coastline of UT of Lakshadweep is 132 km. The lagoons cover 4200 sq. km. with 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters and about 0.4 million sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Lakshadweep Islands are located at a distance ranging from 200 km to 400 km. from the mainland. The distance between islands and to the main land Ports is given in Annexure-I.

1.6 GEOMORPHOLOGY

Geomorphologic features of Lakshadweep area exhibit the following observations:

9 The Lakshadweep Ridge approximately 800 km long and 170 km wide is a fascinating and conspicuous feature of Arabian Sea. It is inclined southerly (1/715-gradient) with a narrow strip (10 km) near Goa and widened to 170 km west of Cape Comorin, This domain is distinct with scores of islands, banks, and shoals, topographic rises, and mounts, inter mount valleys and sea knolls.

Notable feature of the individual island of the ridge is that the relief of all the islands above MSL is uniformly low (4-5 m). However, height of the submerged banks and shoals varies considerably. Based on the structural features, trends of the individual islands, geophysical anomalies and related faults/ dislocations, Lakshadweep islands are classified into northern, central and southern blocks. All the important islands fall in the central block separated by Bassas de Pedro fracture in the north and a NNE- SSW trending valley in the south. The northern block is dominated by coral banks and southern by few islands and small banks.

The western slope of Lakshadweep Ridge is restricted to 2500-4000 m depth and foot of the slope increases from around 4000-4600 m in the south. Topographic rises of significant height (500-1300 m) are recorded in the slope domain. At many sections, the slope has a faulted contact with abyssal plain. Continental rise is present but only distinctly developed throughout the area.

1.7 CLIMATE

Since these Islands are located within the tropics and extend to the equatorial belt, they have a tropical humid, warm and generally pleasant climate becoming more equatorial in the southern islands of the territory. Temperature varies from 28o to 320 C and relative humidity of 70- 75%. From the point of view of temperature, the climate is equable and no well-marked distinct seasons are experienced.

Southwest mansoon is the rainy season, which extends from June to October with 80-90 rainy days a year. The average rainfall is 1640 ml. Annual rainfall decreases from South to North. Winds are light to moderate during October to March.

1.8 ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

The Lakshadweep Islands have a vast expanse of the blue sea with precious heritage of ecology and environment. These Islands are rich in marine wealth and an abode of plethora of coastal and marine bio-diversity with pristine Coral Reef Ecosystem which support verity of ornamental and food fishes belonging to various species besides the sedentary and slow moving creature such as Sea Cumbers, shelled animals (Molluscs) and Hermit Crabs, Lobsters and Shrimps.

The other marine organisms which are occasionally seen include Rays, Flying Fishes, Turtles and Dolphins. The common farm species which are tend by the people are Cows, Goats, Ducks and Hens. There are no dogs and snakes. A few Islands have Crows. Common Sea birds are Tarataihi (Sterna fuscata) and Karifetu (Anous folidus) the former being the state bird. Most of the birds nest on an Island called Pitty- a bird Sanctuary.

10 The flora of Lakshadweep mainly consist of palm trees with coconut as the only commercial crop. The other shrubs locally known as Kanni, Cholam, Chavok, Punna and Cheerani characteristically boarders the base of coconut palms. Ipomea is a conspicuous ground runner, which place a strong role in preventing erosion of the Islands.

Bleaching event of 1998 due to El-Nino has been reported to have damaged 70% of corals in Lakshadweep Islands. The other potential threats to coral reef include marine pollution due to oil slicks, disposal of untreated sewage and dumping of non-biodegradable solid waste into the marine ecosystem.

1.9 DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES

According to 2001 Census, the inhabited Islands had a total population of 60595 covering 31,118 males and 29,477 females with a ratio of 947 females per 1000 males. The density of population per sq. km is 2253. Island-wise area, elevation and population of Lakshadweep is given below

Table: 1.1 Island-wise area, elevation and population of Lakshdweep Islands (as per 2001 Census)

S. Island Land use Elevation Male Female Population Population No area sq. km (m) per sq. km 1. Agatti 2.71 3.0-6.0 3632 3375 7007 2586 2. Amini 2.59 0.5-2.5 3727 3613 7340 2834 3. Andrott 4.84 1.0-7.0 5356 5364 10720 2215 4. Bangaram 0.58 -0.1-0.4 56 9 65 112 5. Bitra 0.1 0.8-4.0 158 106 264 2640 6. Chetlat 1.04 1.5-5.5 1183 1106 2289 2201 7. Kadmat 3.12 2.5-6.5 2685 2634 5319 1705 8. Kalpeni 2.28 1.5-5.5 2279 2040 4319 1894 9. Kavaratti 3.63 2.0-6.0 5579 4534 10113 2786 10. Kltan 1.63 0.6-4.0 1847 1817 3664 2248 10. Minicoy 4.37 1.5-7.0 4616 4879 9495 2173 Total 26.89 -- 31118 29477 60595 2253 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

1.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE AND LIVELIHOOD

Socio- economic profile of these Islands indicates 885 families below the poverty line. The literacy rate is 87.52 which is higher in males (93.15) compared to females (81.56). Similarly, literacy rate is higher in the urban population compared to the rural population.

The women of the Territory enjoy a higher social status and economic free than their counter parts elsewhere in the country. The matrilineal route of inheritance through the female keep the women folk independent. The predominance of women in every walk of life is a noteworthy feature in Minicoy.

11 The islands are directly in the trade route between Africa, Arabia and Malabar. The main livelihood of the people depends on coconut and fish. The traditional industry revolves around tuna, coir, vinegar, jaggery and copra making. Although boat-building industry has suffered, the traditional skills still exist. The people of Kavaratti have considerable skill as stonemasons and carpenters. Coir base industries are also one of the oldest areas of activity. Minicoy is an important center for tuna fishing and tuna canning factory is located there.

1.11 TECHNO LEGAL FRAMEWORK

As per the existing norms of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 as amended from time to time; the Lakshadweep Islands are classified as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) IV. Since these Islands are covered by Coral Reefs which are fragile ecosystems or ecologically sensitive areas and accordingly have further been classified as Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) I. As per the CRZ norms no developmental activities are permitted in the CRZ I area.

12 Chapter 2 NATURAL HAZARDS & VULNERABILITY IN LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

2.1 NATURAL HAZARDS: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Surrounded by the vast ocean, islands of Lakshadweep are open to storms, cyclones and heavy rains. According to the available information, earthquakes have not occurred so far in this region. One of the earliest natural calamities recorded was the great storm that stretched the islands in April, 1847. In 1891, a violent storm struck upon Kavaratti Island causing considerable damage to coconut trees. The storm did a great deal of damage in Agatti and its attached islets and the Amindivi group of islands. Other major storms to have hit the islands are Kalpeni Island in 1922, Kavaratti in 1941, and Andrott in 1963, Andrott and Kalpeni in 1965 and 1977. The last cyclone to have hit the islands was in May 2004, Kavaratti Amini, Kiltan and Agatti islands. Whenever a cyclone or a storm hits the islands, the first causality is the coconut trees and the fruits followed by disruption of fishing activities affecting the livelihood of the local people. These events also lead to losses to physical and social infrastructure in the longer run, sets back the pace of development on these islands. Following natural and man-made hazards need special mention in this context:

2.2 EARTHQUAKES

Lakshadweep islands are situated in the Arabian Sea and have moderate seismicity. It is classified as Seismic Zone III as per IS: 1893-2002, which is, referred as Moderate Damage Risk Zone of MSK VII in the Vulnerability Atlas of India, 1997. Although there is very little observed seismicity, the faults running parallel to the west coast of the mainland of India have the potential of generating M6.5 earthquakes, hence causing MSK VII shaking in the islands. List of Earthquakes between Lat. 6.00 N to 14.00 N and Long. 70.00E to 76.00 E is given in Table 2.1 Table 2.1 Significant Earthquakes between Latitude 6.00 N to 14.00 N and Longitude 70.00E to 76.00 E Events listed in IMD Catalogue Date Lat. (North) Long. (East) Magnitude 16 March 1941 7.50 73.80 5.9 28 December 1997 13.65 70.40 4.2 11 September 1999 10.32 75.64 3.8 1 January 2000 13.07 74.60 3.7 Events Listed in USGS Catalogue of Indian Region Date Lat. (North) Long. (East) Magnitude 22 August 1828 13.00 75.00 5.0 1 September 1856 9.50 76.00 4.3 13 August 1858 11.40 76.00 3.7 23 August 1858 11.40 76.00 3.7 27 April 1901 12.00 75.00 5.0 16 March 1941 7.50 73.00 5.6 27 July 1959 11.50 75.30 4.0 September 1961 11.30 75.80 4.0 October 1964 11.30 75.80 4.3

Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

13 2.3 CYCLONIC STORMS AND WIND SPEEDS

The Lakshadweep islands are surrounded by the vast ocean, which are open to storms and cyclones. Some of the areas in island are low-lying and due to heavy rain, the people residing in such part of the island have to flee for safety and stay in places where water does not reach. The storms and cyclones hit some of the islands in the year 1847, 1891, 1922, 1963, 1977 and during May, 2004. The main problem is due to the hitting of waves during such occasions and thereby sea erosion takes place and the coconut trees get uprooted and other vegetation and properties are also damaged.

Criteria followed by the India Meteorological Department to classify the cyclonic wind systems in Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea are given in Table 2.2

Table 2.2 Criteria followed by India Metrological Department (IMD) to classify Cyclonic Wind Systems

Types of Disturbances Associated wind speed in the circulation Low Pressure Area Not exceeding 17 knots Depression 17 to 27 knots Deep Depression 28-33 knots Cyclonic Storm 34-47 knots Severe Cyclonic Storm 48-63 knots Severe Cyclonic Storm 64 knots and above with a core of hurricane winds 1 Knot = 1.85 kmph

Crucial months with mean wind speed in knots in Lakshadweep are given in Table: 2.3:

Table 2.3 Mean Wind Speed in knots in Two Islands of Lakshadweep

Island May June July August September Amini 7.35 10.64 12.54 12.37 9.94 Minicoy 6.10 9.24 8.81 8.05 7.02 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

From the data it can be concluded that the mean wind speeds in Lakshadweep do not generally exceed the Wind Speeds associated with even a low-pressure area.

The cyclonic storms are believed to be responsible for the deposition of coral debris around the islands forming Coral Beach and the Lagoons.

2.4 STORM SURGES

Thunderstorms mostly occur in the months of April to June and October and November. Squalls though occasional, are more frequent in the northern islands than in the south. They occur in association with thunderstorms in May and during the southwest monsoon season. A few of the cyclonic depressions and storms, which form in the south Arabian Sea during April and May, affect the weather over the territory. During the post monsoon months of October to December

14 also, a few of such systems originating in the Bay of Bengal and travelling westwards emerge into the south Arabian Sea, and occasionally affect these islands. In association with these, strong winds are caused and heavy rains occur. Table: 2.4 gives the number of storms and depressions which affected the region in the above mentioned months during the 115 years ending in 2004. During the rest of the months, the territory was not affected by such systems.

Table: 2.4 Number of Storms and depressions in Lakshdweep Islands during last 115 years ending 2004.

Months No. of Storms/ Depressions Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal April 4 -- May 2 -- October 8 -- November 10 7 December 3 3 Total 27 10 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

2.5 RAINFALL INUNDATION

The annual rainfall in the Lakshadweep Islands generally decreases from south to north; but southwest monsoon rainfall (during June to September) increases from south to north. The rainfall in the southern islands is more evenly distributed than over the northern islands. Thus, while the rainfall in the north during June to September is 70% of the annual, it is only 56% in the south. During the post monsoon months of October and November, south gets 20% of the annual while north receives 15%. June is the rainiest month everywhere contributing 25% of annual rain in the north and less than 20% in the south. While in the north, rainfall progressively decreases after June; in the south it shows a secondary maximum in October as a result of the influence of the northeast monsoon. The variation in the rainfall from year to year increases from south to north. As in the case of rainfall, the number of rainy days during the southwest monsoon season is also greater in the north than in the south.

The rainfall data for various islands in Lakshadweep recorded at 2 stations of Indian Meteorological Deptt. located at Minicoy and Amini from 1992 to 2001 is given in Table 2.5. Table 2.5 Rainfall in mm for Amini and Minicoy Islands from 1992 - 2001 Year Actual Normal Minicoy Amini Minicoy Amini 1992 1736.9 1688.4 1660.1 1518.6 1993 1813.1 1090.8 1660.1 1518.6 1994 1834.5 1493.3 1660.1 1518.6 1995 1682.5 1610.1 1660.1 1518.6 1996 1582.8 1626.7 1660.1 1518.6 1998 1857.0 2126.1 1660.7 1528.7 1999 1856.8 1857.7 1660.7 1528.7 2000 1622.2 1121.9 1660.7 1528.7 2001 1505.3 1252.1 1660.7 1528.7 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

15 2.6 FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

In order to identify the flood prone areas on various Islands of Lakshadweep, the data on land elevation collected by Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) under a project “ Preparation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for Lakshadweep Islands” sponsored by Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests was used. The contour maps of the inhabited Islands are appended at the end of the report.

Some of the observation on Amini, Kavaratti and Kiltan Islands are summarized below:- a) In Kavaratti, the major part of the island has an elevation of 3 to 4 m above MSL. Patches of high sand bumps of > 5 m is noticed near Ujra Palli and further south. Low-lying areas are seen bordering the northeast coast from south of Ottavayil palli (south of Reference Station CSK-5) up to CSK-8 near the Administrator bungalow in the north. Patches of low-lying areas are also noticed near Fisheries jetty, south of Purath Palli and south of Chicken neck. b) At Amini the low-lying areas is observed at the central part of the island running from Thiruvath palli in the north to Helar Palli in the south. High sand dunes of >5 m height is seen on the northwestern part whereas towards the east there is a gradual slope to the coast. c) In Kiltan the major part of the island has an elevation of m above MSL. But many low- lying regions are also seen around Kulikkara Palli, Kunni Palli, and North West of Eli Palli. In the eastern coast starting from Naranga Palli towards north the stretches has an elevation 0 to 2.5 m above the MSL.

2.7 INUNDATION OF SEAWATER IN THE ISLANDS OF LAKSHADWEEP

The open sea coral islands of Lakshadweep are one of the low lying small group of islands in the world. Considering the geographical position of the islands, the islands face following risks: 1. Inundation of sea water due to anticipated sea level rise 2. Inundation of seawater due to storm surges that may occur sometimes in these islands 3. Inundation if seawater due to Tsunami waves. The above threats are associated with several uncertainties like the global warming leading to sea level rise which is a slow and long-term process. The recent Tsunami with a wave direction propagating east from Sumatra had little or no effect on the Lakshadweep islands. There were very few cyclones that have crossed near Lakshadweep.

2.8 COASTAL EROSION

Coastal erosion is one of the serious problems being faced by the Lakshadweep group of islands. Erosion takes place on account of natural causes like wave action as well as due to destruction of coral reefs. Similarly, the high-speed wind and huge waves hitting the seashore lead to sea erosion resulting into reduction of the size of the islands. Even otherwise, during southwest monsoon season, sea erosion takes place and many low-lying foreshore regions of the islands are washed out. . Studies on collection of baseline data on erosion and the accretion cycle in Lakshadweep Islands and to design and implement proper coastal protection measures and beach monitoring over a long term period were carried out by the Center of Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, in 4 islands viz. Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini and Bangaram during 1990-1993.

16 These studies were extended for other 4 islands viz. Kadmat, Chetlet, Kiltan and Bitra during 1997-2001.

Main objectives of these studies were: • To identify and demarcate the areas of erosion and accretion in the islands and compute the beach volume changes in these islands • To study the sediment characteristics and sediment movement around these islands and • To understand the relationship of erosion cycles and wave diffraction pattern in these islands.

Salient observations reported in these studies are reproduced below: • The studies revealed a net accretion of 21.43-m3/ m in Kadmat and 11.05 m3/m in Chetlat islands during the study period. The Kiltan Island showed net accretion as well as seasonal erosion at certain stretches. Major part of Kiltan island has been undergoing erosion on the east coast. • Good correlation between high diffraction zones and erosion was observed. Similarly, erosion was noticed at Bitra Island (the smallest island in the UT) mostly on the south and southeastern sectors. • Long-term shoreline changes have been estimated for these islands. The Chetlet Island exhibited maximum recession of shoreline on southeast and northeast corner whereas in the case of A baseline data on the erosion aggression cycle has indicated that the erosion pattern in the islands is controlled by the wave diffraction. The effectiveness of the existing shore protection measures in the island has been reviewed and the locations requiring protection measures are cited. • Wave diffraction plays a significant role in the distribution of wave energy along the coast of the island and thus affects the stability of the coast. To understand the relationship between the erosion cycle and wave diffraction in selected islands, a beach monitoring survey involving beach profile measurement was carried out during 1991- 1992 (Prakash et al., 1995). The beach profile data have been processed for the beach volume changes and critical areas of erosion and accretion have been demarcated. It is observe that SW and SE position experience critical erosion whereas the NE potion of the islands shows seasonal erosion/accretional behaviour. Wave data from a Directional Waverider Buoy deployed off Kavaratti show that the wave heights vary from 0.56 to 8.95 m. The S-SW wave is dominant with periods ranging from 5 to 8 s during monsoon and 8.12 s during fair weather period. The diffraction coefficients were computed for the dominant wave directions and wave periods. The diffraction coefficients along the boundary of the islands vary from 0.71 to 1.4. Higher diffraction is observed at the SW and SE coast where critical erosion is observed. At the NE portion of the island where there is no net erosion the diffraction coefficient is less.

2.9 WAVE POWER POTENTIAL

The wave climate and power potential of the seas surrounding Lakshadweep islands were also studied by the CESS using wave data collected with a Direction Waverider Buoy deployed off Kavaratti (Baba et al., 1995). The study reveals that the wave climate of Lakshadweep Sea is influenced by the southwest monsoonal winds. The period from June to August is the roughest season for the Lakshadweep Sea. The maximum wave height observed during the one year period is 8.95 m in August. Waves generally do not exceed the height of 5 m during November- March. During southwest monsoon the dominant values of maximum wave height is around 5 m and during the non-monsoon season it is around 1.4 m.

17

• The significant wave heights (Hs) range from 0.4 to 4.7 m, the lowest being observed in February and the highest in August. Generally, Hs are higher during June, July and August when the range is 1.75-4. 70 m and are lower during November-March. The zero-crossing period (Tz) ranges from 3.5 to 13.3 s. The maximum ranges are observed in February and April and the lowest ranges during June-August. The dominant during southwest monsoon is in the range 7-8 s and during non-monsoon it is 5-7 s. The peak period (Tp) ranges from 8.4 to 26 s during the year, the lowest being observed in November and the highest in February. Generally, Tp is lower during June-August with smaller variations, the wave direction ranged from 106o to 316o N. The waves are least persistent in direction during January and February. The easterly components are observed during the period November-January. The S-SW directions persist throughout the year and these directions dominate most of the period except when the southwest monsoon is intense with westerly waves. The units TP and S has to be explained

2.10 SEA LEVEL RISE

The low level of Lakshadweep islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise and therefore the foremost future threat to these island chains is potential global climate change. 1998 was the warmest year on record and the 1990s were the warmest decades since temperature recording began about 150 years ago. Additionally, 1998 also saw the strongest El Nino ever recorded. The consequences of these were felt strongly in the tropical Indian Ocean, often with temperatures of 3-5o C above normal. Severe coral bleaching occurred during 1998, with mortality rates as high as 90% in some parts of the and Lakshadweep Islands.

2.11 TSUMANIS

West coast is generally less prone as compared to east coast since the tsunamigenic earthquakes generally occur in the Java trench in the Andaman coast. Historically west coast has recorded tsunami due to earthquake in Makran coast. There is no record on the tsunami affecting the Lakshadweep coast. Though effect of the recent Tsunami was not adversely felt in and around Lakshadweep except for some minor effects in Minicoy and Andrott, yet the smallness of the size of these islands and their geographical segregation makes them very vulnerable to any kind of Tsunami threat.

18 Chapter 3

CYCLONE OF MAY 2004: A CASE STUDY

3.1 EFFECT OF CYCLONE ON SOME OF THE ISLANDS OF LAKSHADWEEP DURING 5-7TH MAY, 2004

The Lakshadweep group of islands viz. Kavaratti, Amini, Kiltan and Agatti witnessed a cyclonic storm event during 5th -7th May, 2004. The assessment of the impact of the cyclone on these islands was done by Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram. The observations of CESS as reflected in their report submitted to the Lakshadweep Administration during August, 2004 are reproduced below:*

3.2 KAVARATTI ISLAND

On the northern side near the administrator’s bungalow between the beach stations CSK- 5 and CSK -10, a length of 500-600 m was affected by erosion. Shore protection measures such as tetrapodes and concrete filled coir bags placed along this coast buried in the sediments in front of children's park and they were seen lying randomly on the shore. Between the stations CSK- 6 and CSK-8, the tetrapodes placed on the coast was found to be not effective during the cyclone due to single layer protection. But along the stations CSK- 8&9 the coast was protected by a multi- layered shore protection and this has withstood the crossing of high waves.

Among the different locations on the northern side, the area around Children's park is severely affected by erosion. Major facilities in the park have been destroyed completely. The wooden jetty in front of the Administrator Bungalow was also broken.

A small patch of shoal at the edge of the lagoon on the northern part of the island is noticed.

Normally the beach near the Tourist hut is a wide one with a width varying 60-80 m. The entire beach has been washed away exposing even the foundation stone of the tourist hut.

Along the lagoon coast there is a considerable loss of sand from the foreshore resulting in gentler slope.

On the eastern coast not much damage is seen

High waves of >4m (visually observed data) crossed over the tetrapode and dumped huge quantity of shingle/boulders on high water line (HWL) near the Children's park. The pond near the park was filled partially with rubble/shingle brought by high waves. The floodwater from the sea has entered into the island where the monsoon berm in the backshore is low.

3.3 AMINI ISLAND

Amini is the most severely affected island among the Lakshadweep groups. Due to continuos rainfall many low-lying areas in the island were flooded with water level rising from 1- 1.5m height.

* According to information from Collector cum Development Commissioner, Kadmat Islands was also affected by the cyclone. 19 On the eastern coast 8-10 breaches have been noticed. The width of the breach varies from 10-30m with a depth ranging from 1-1.5m. The worst affected area is at Ramp near the Ujira Palli on the eastern coast. Here the concrete road has been cut and washed away due to floodwater run- off.

The devastation by the cyclone is noticeable in many areas in the island resulting in uprooting of coconut trees, blowing away of roof tiles, damages to the buildings, loss of domestic animals etc. It is seen that many coconut trees in the island have fallen towards E and SE direction indicating that the wind has blown from W and NW direction.

On southwestern side near the coir factory, a deep gorge is seen cutting across the factory premises due to floodwater run-off into the sea.

On the eastern coast most of the areas is covered with tetrapods and other low cost shore protection structures. Though shore protection measures were in place the wave-cut terrace of 1- 1.25m height is noticeable along the coast.

3.4 KILTAN ISLAND

Kiltan is another island where the cyclone has made havoc in many parts of the island. The floodwater rose from 1 to1.5m height in low-lying areas of the island.

No major breaches have been observed along the island coast was seen in Amini. It has been reported by many that the water levels in the island receded very slowly.

Due to cyclonic storms, high waves exceeding 4m was reported to be seen during the period. Normally the beach along the East Coast mainly consists of shingle/boulder with dead corals exposed during the low tide. High wave activity along the eastern coast has brought huge quantity of shingle/boulders from the sea and deposited much interior of the island. Due to this the beach starting from light house and further north, was seen with fresh deposits of boulders/ shingles.

3.5

During the visit, it was observed that the island was not affected by cyclone. Along the coast no significant erosion was observed.

The meteorological and beach morphological data on wind and rainfall during the cyclonic event revealed that the winds in Lakshadweep islands are light to moderate during October to April. The average annual wind speed in the island is around 12.6 km/hr. The recorded wind data at Amini during 4-8th May 2004 indicate that westerly wind dominated during the period with high frequency of occurrence followed by the north westerly. The westerly wind speed ranged up 70 km/hr. The north westerly had a speed upto 80 km/hr with less frequency of occurrence. A few northerly have also been recorded during the period.

The distribution of rainfall at Amini Island during the passage of cyclone show increased intensity from 4th May with a record rainfall of nearly 120-cm was reported on 6th May. This has subsided early next day. An average more than a meter rainfall in less than 24 hrs has flooded most of the low-lying areas of the island. This was almost equivalent to the island's annual rainfall and was the highest in the past half-century.

20 The data on waves during the passage of the cyclone was not available. However, a rough estimate of waves in the deep water of the islands during the cyclone was made using the method given in CERC (1984) assuming Fully Arisen Sea Conditions. According to this estimate, the significant wave height (Hs) in the deep water was around 10m on 5th May with a peak period of 16.5s and 13.5m with a peak period of 19s on 6th May. The significant wave heights estimated for the cyclone period are much higher than the value of 4.75m reported by Baba et al (1993).

Observations on the beach morphological data indicate that the position of the land-ward berm (or monsoon berm) has moved further inland by 15m at Kavaratti, 25-30m at Kiltan and <5m at Amini. The shifting of the land-ward berm is an indication of the amount of erosion along the coast.

3.6 OBSERVATIONS WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO HAZARDS AND VULNERABILITY DURING FIELD VISIT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE TO SOME OF THE ISLANDS ON 4TH & 5TH JUNE, 2005:

The members of the Task Force visited Kavaratti, Kiltan and Amini Islands so as to study the vulnerability of these islands and preparedness of the Lakshadweep Administration to address these issues.

It was noticed that most of the low-lying areas on these islands are prone to inundation of seawater during the cyclonic conditions. The houses are mostly constructed using the hollow blocks made up of coralline sand mixed with the concrete (as shown in the photograph). No specific guidelines or construction criteria have been followed in these constructions. The shore protection measure include shelter belt plantation along with the use of coral boulders.

Most of the areas on these islands are covered with coconut plantations and no other major vegetation as well as agricultural practices has been noticed on these islands. The livestock population is limited to a few cows and the chicken which are normally used by the local community as their livelihood.

It was also noticed that Lakshadweep Administration has identified the school buildings for shelters to be used during the cyclones. Most of these buildings on Amini and Kiltan islands have been constructed at an elevation of 1.5 to 4m as shown in the respective maps. Some of the buildings on the low-lying areas are prone to inundation as noticed at different places on these islands. These buildings also need retrofitting with specific reference to their usage as shelters during the calamities. The facilities for drinking water and sanitation as well as electric supply need to be augmented so as to fulfil the requirements of these buildings as shelters during the disaster. It was also noted that most of these islands are provided with concrete roads well maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD).

It was reported that most of the islands are provided with communication facilities. However, it was noted that these facilities are inadequate with limited access to the community. The virtual connectivity and communication is limited within an island as well as from island to island. As such these islands are totally isolated both from the mainland as well as from the other islands. The facility for mobile phones provided by BSNL is not compatible with the other service providers leading these islands to be completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Lakshadweep Islands (Agatti) are connected to the mainland (Kochi) by an Indian Air Line flight flying three days in a week. This flight has got limited capacity of 18 passengers on board. Besides this a Pawan Hans helicopter with capacity of 5-6 persons available with the

21 Lakshadweep Administration is used as an Ambulance service for carrying patients from islands to the mainlands during an emergency. Besides this, this facility is also used by the officials of the Administration for their visits to the mainland as well as island to island. The utility of this helicopter becomes more or less useless during the time of the disaster. The lagging facilities as well as runway at Agatti is inadequate to land the carriers with higher capacities. Number of helipads is also limited on different islands. The operations of the helicopters are totally dependent on the limited staff such as pilots and go off at times of an emergency as was reported during the visit.

It was also informed that the ship/vessel service operates between Kochi to Agatti connecting all the other inhabited islands once in a week. This facility is available for the islanders, the local officials as well as the tourists coming from the mainland to the islands. The local boat services also operate from island to island to commute the passengers and provide essential services to the local communities. It was noted that the connectivity to the island is inadequate to cater to the needs of the islanders and the local Administration during the hazards.

The embarkation facilities covering jetties are provided for 15 islands in Lakshadweep. Most of the jetties catered to the needs of the fishing communities. Four more jetties have been Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy and Amini islands of which the work on the Agatti and Minicoy islands is in progress.

22 Chapter 4

MAN-MADE HAZARDS

4.1 FIRE

Most houses in the Lakshadweep islands have thatched roofs. The islands are full of coconut trees and many other shrub trees. Probability of fire cannot be ruled out due to lightening and contact with electricity wires (especially HT lines) going along with the trees. The wind velocity in the islands is also very high especially in the monsoon period because of the open sea around the islands.

The UT of Lakshadweep consists of 36 islands, lying scattered in the Arabian Sea. Every island has got a Harbor Department and many other Government Officers, minor industrial activities are carried out in every island. In addition, every island has got a powerhouse with 3-4 generators of capacity of 320KVA for lightening islands and operates the electrical machines in factories, offices, harbour etc. These generators operate on diesel oil, which is brought from mainland in drums and stored in tanks of 1500 liter capacity which are installed in the ground near the power house building. In total there are 46 such tanks in islands for the electricity department alone.

There are chances of fire to this storage since almost all tanks are installed very near to the powerhouses. Besides, Electricity, Port, Fisheries and Harbour Departments are also importing HSD oil and store in tanks and drums for months together for their departmental purposes and also to issue to local islanders to meet their demands.

Cooperative Supply and Marketing Societies are also purchasing kerosene, petrol etc and storing in islands without proper precautionary measures around the Society Buildings where godowns for rice and almost all-essential goods are situated. Due to helicopter services in all the islands.

ATF meant for the helicopter use is also transported from mainland and stored in drums. LPG has also been introduced in the islands for domestic consumption. As a whole total quantity of inflammable liquids used by islands have been estimated to be around 70 lakhs liters per annum. Even the explosives required for Harbour Department are also stored in the island.

The vulnerability of islands to disaster due to fire is likely to be very high due to unsafe storage, handling and transport of the diesel, kerosene, petrol, LPG and explosives as mentioned above.

4.2 OIL SLICKS

Lakshadweep islands are on the trade route. There has been a dramatic increase in passenger and cargo traffic along with passengers and cargo transported by sailing vessels. This increases the mobility of islanders and increases cargo demands. Since these vessels could not enter the shallow lagoons and hence passengers had to be transported to the jetty via small mechanized boats, catamarans were introduced which could enter small lagoon and berths eliminating the boat journey but studies found that the use of catamarans epitomized the degradation of corals due to technological advances in mode of transportation.

23 Passenger and cargo ships also dump untreated waste into the sea around the islands and discharge waste oil also which causes severe pollution

Regular monitoring of the oil slicks should be undertaken using remote sensing data. Microwave data can be used to detect any significant oil spill.

4.3 MARINE POLLUTION

Studies carried out by CESS under the project of Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS) indicate that the coral reef ecosystem is subjected to stress mainly due to anthropogenic pressures. The high microbial activity along with other marine pollution parameters in the seas around Lakshadweep particularly, off Kavaratti, Andrott and Minicoy is likely to affect the coral reef ecosystem. (Ouseph, 1997)

Periodic monitoring of ocean pollution has to be undertaken and satellite data can be used especially high resolution multi-temporal data sets

4.4 TOURISM

Tourism is an important source of income for the islands population, and Lakshadweep is becoming increasing popular with both domestic and foreign tourist, their numbers and activities need to be carefully monitored and controlled as they cause a threat to the ecology of the island. Carelessness by tourists can disturb the habitat of corals due to walking on the reefs, anchoring of boats as well as release of untreated sewage and disposal of garbage as well as non-biodegradable solid wastes.

Similarly, coral mining, dredging of navigational channels, unsustainable fishing practices, coastal development and souvenir collection are some of the major causes of environmental degradation on Lakshadweep islands.

24 Chapter 5

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

Besides the natural causes of different hazards on Lakshadweep islands the following factors contribute to vulnerability of these islands have been indicated

5.1 GEOGRAPHICAL ISOLATION

Lakshadweep Islands have been geographically isolated from the mainland. The major distances of different islands in Lakshadweep from the major ports and harbours along the West Coast of India have been shown in the following chart. This indicates the maximum distance of Lakshadweep islands of more than 400 km from the mainland, making them inaccessible during the event of Hazard. This also adds to the vulnerability of these islands at the time of evacuation as well as supply of essential commodities during the time of disaster. It is virtually impossible to evacuate a population of one or more islands during the disaster to the mainland. In view of these suitable strategies will be required to be developed to address various issues related to Disaster Risk Management on these islands.

5.2 INSULARITY AND REMOTENESS:

High external transport cost, time delays and high costs are involved in accessing external goods. Delays and reduced quality in information flows, geopolitical weakened environmental factors, small exposed interiors and large coastal zones are other consequences of the remoteness.

5.3 SMALL SIZE OF ISLANDS AND POPULATION PRESSURE

It may be seen from the area of various islands in Lakshadweep that these islands are small with a total geographical area of 32 sq. km. Largest Island i.e. Andrott is about 4.8sq.km and the smallest island i.e. Bitra is 0.1sq.km. The small size of these islands acts as a barrier leading to the limited natural resource base, high competition between land use, intensity of land use, immediacy of interdependence in human- environment systems, spatial concentration of productive assets leading to high levels of vulnerability.

5.4 COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

As the islands lie scattered in the Arabian Sea, whenever a natural calamity occurs, the lifelines of these islands viz. Communication and transportation are disrupted. Thereby the link between mainland and islands becomes non-functional. The only mode of transportation for the local people i.e. ship cannot ply between the islands and thereby the people become stranded at their respective places. As the islands are surrounded by vast ocean, the people cannot move to other places as in mainland. Moreover, there is no harbour facility in the islands and the embarkation/disembarkation from ship to shore has to take place in the open sea. This gets disrupted because of the high seas and high-speed wind. The houses are also prone to damage caused due to the high-speed wind and falling of coconut trees on them.

5.5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY:

The entire indigenous population of this UT has been classified as Scheduled Tribes because of their Social and Economic Backwardness. If any natural calamity takes place, then the

25 whole development of these islands will come to a stand still and thereby Socio-economic vulnerability can be expected. Coconut plantations are the first and the most affected causality of any cyclone surge. The loss of ripe coconuts and the uprooting of trees put an immediate pressure on the basic source of livelihood of the majority of the population. Traditionally it is said that the loss of crop in one season leads to poor harvest in the next season also. So, the farmers are basically affected for two consecutive years due to loss of coconut harvest.

5.6 ENVIRONMENT VULNERABILITY:

On account of Lakshadweep islands isolation, fragility, and extreme vulnerability to environment deterioration, the biodiversity of these islands are threatened. The effects of climate change, global warming and sea level rise have disastrous consequences on islands, particularly small islands that are low and flat.

5.7 ECOSYSTEM VULNERABILITY:

EIA studies on key parameters such as population size, number of houses, passenger traffic, and cargo traffic and fish catch of the ten major islands of the Lakshadweep can be analyzed to study the impact of human activities on the ecosystems. Lakshadweep has the third largest population density in the country. Rapidly escalating developmental activities are largely responsible for the degradation of the ecosystems. Fishery resources are under-exploited and adopting modern methods and diverting the impact of fishing boats to mainland ports can augment the fish catch. There is an urgent need to halt the degradation of resources and thus to reverse the trends.

A GIS data base is essential for such small islands wherein carrying capacity of the islands has to be addressed and the district administration should be aware for carrying out future development activities.

5.8 STATUS OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE VULNERABILITY OF LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS TO NATURAL HAZARDS:

5.8.1 Disaster Mitigation Capability: Limited hazard forecasting ability, complacency and little insurance cover.

5.8.2 Demographic Factors: Limited human resource base, small population, rapid population changes, single urban centre, population concentrated on coastal zone, dis-economies of scale leading to high per capita cost for infrastructure and services.

5.8.3 Economic Factors: Small economies, dependence on external finance, small internal market, dependence on natural resources.

5.8.4 Infrastructure Losses: The main infrastructure on the island consist of roads and buildings, ports and harbours, airports and helipads, boats, crafts and catamarans, automobiles and vehicles, communication facilities etc. Taking into consideration the remoteness of these islands and the nature and magnitude of the vulnerabilities, the infrastructural facilities are limited making the islands more vulnerable during the period of calamity. This in turn affects the existing infrastructure leading to its damage including the communication systems are broken down in the islands, which lie separated away

26 from each other thus becoming isolated pockets of calamities. The ship and ferry service, which is chief mode of transportation also, gets disrupted.

5.8.5 Economic Losses: The main livelihood operations for the people of Lakshadweep are coconut cultivation and fishing. Both these activities at the time of calamities get disrupted. The uprooting of coconut trees and loss of standing coconut crops sets back the economy of Lakshadweep immediately for a minimum period of 2 years. Since fishing is not possible during such times, the people suffer immediate losses to their day to day livelihood options. In the longer run losses to physical and social infrastructure sets back the pace of development.

5.8.6 Shelters: The Lakshadweep Administration has a total population of 65,000 with a sex- ratio of 1::1. Each of the inhabited islands has a junior, senior basic schools as well as nursery schools and madarsas. Most of these schools have been identified as shelters incase of an emergency. These schools have limited drinking water, sanitary facilities as well as facilities for storage of civil supplies during an emergency. Most of these schools have been located on the same elevation as the island, which is prone to inundation during heavy rains as well as cyclonic conditions. These schools cannot accommodate more than 50% of the population during the time of disaster and the constructions are not in tune with the design criteria.

5.8.7 Residential and Office Buildings: It was noted that most of the residential and office buildings are constructed using porous concrete bricks made up of the coralline sand mixed up with the concrete material as shown in the picture. These houses are provided with the roofs covered with Mangalore tiles or the galvanized iron sheets. Most of these houses have been constructed at the using low plinth level and are prone to inundation. The criteria for safe construction including the construction materials have not been followed while constructing these buildings.

The large majority (67.36%) of the total 17169 housing units in the Lakshadweep Territory as per the 1991 census consist of stone walls. Such buildings are placed in Category A of MSK Intensity Classification type. Building is this category could have medium to large cracks in walls and some partial collapses too, incase earthquake intensity MSK VII takes place. Though loss of life may be small, property loss could be considerable. This calls for precautionary measures in building constructions as per the codes and guidelines.

5.8.8 Drinking Water: The Lakshadweep islands being coralline in their nature have a high porosity leading to salinity ingress and accordingly have limited source of drinking water required for the population. The major source of drinking water is through rainwater, which is collected through Rain Harvesting system and stored in tanks and distributed through a network of pipes. The local community has laid community taps at regular intervals for use. 920 such tanks with 10,000 lt. capacity each have been constructed on different islands through the grants received from the India-Canada Environment Facility (ICEF) and have been operational on various islands. Besides this, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has installed a Desalination Plant at a cost of Rs. 5 crore at Kavaratti. This plant with a capacity of 1 Lakh lt. per day is expected to augment the drinking water supply to Kavaratti and it is proposed that each of the island should be provided with a Desalination Plant with a suitable capacity so as to fulfill the needs of the community at all the times and during disasters in particular.

27 5.8.9 Groundwater Availability: The fresh Ground Water Resource of the tiny coral atolls of Lakshadweep, by and large, occurs as lenses floating in hydraulic continuity in seawater. The hydro-geological environment of these islands is complex. The terrain is mostly flat and the surface and near-surface coral medium is porous and permeable. Rainfall, averaging about 1600mm annually, is the sole source of groundwater recharge in these islands.

Cases of increased extraction from these fragile lenses and resulting salinization were reported from many islands where pumping activity has been on the increase, specially, during last 2 decades. This necessitates a detailed study in all the inhabited islands of Lakshadweep, to delineate the geometry of the fresh ground water lenses, to evaluate their storage potential, and to assess the sustainable rate of production in order to suggest appropriate, futuristic groundwater development and management options for the island territory.

Hydro-geological and geophysical methods using innovative procedures are adopted for direct mapping of fresh groundwater lens, for hydraulically characterizing the aquifer and for assessing the sustainable long-term production capability of the fresh groundwater lens system. The geophysical method employs electrical resistively profiling and sounding, the result of which is used to describe the lateral extent and the thickness of fresh water and transition zone of the groundwater lens. The sustainable production capability of the lenses are assessed based on the quantum of annual recharge determined from climatic water balance, chloride balance, water table fluctuation and groundwater storage change.

The static and dynamic storage potential of the inhabited islands of Lakshadweep is determined based on the geometry and specific yields of the fresh groundwater portion of the aquifers. It generally indicates that the dynamic storage of inhabited islands is adequate to serve the needs, provided the development of the resource does not tell upon the sustainable yield.

The salinity Index of the island groundwater system indicates that no fresh groundwater without saline contamination is available in any island of Lakshadweep. However, the contamination is marginal except at a few spots at Kavaratti and Minicoy. It is also observed that the quality of water deteriorates with longer duration of content. Therefore it can be said that extraction deteriorates the quality of fresh groundwater in these islands.

One of the prime considerations for the development and management of the groundwater resources in the islands of Lakshadweep is the maintenance of a minimum thickness of lens as a critical factor for the upkeep of island groundwater system. It implies that the fresh groundwater extraction from island lenses has to be limited to the sustainable level.

A ground water resource estimation with emphasis on budgeting needs to be carried out for the islands. This should address the issue of input, extraction, quality etc.

5.8.10 Sanitation: Lakshadweep islands have a total population of 65,000. The individual houses with an average population of 5 people have not been provided with sanitary facilities. Attempts to provide Bio-toilets as well as community toilets and the sewage treatment systems have x failed in the past because of incompatible technologies or traditional faith of the local population. As such, the untreated sewage directly enters into

28 the sea affecting the Coral-reef ecosystem. This also leads to common water-borne diseases as well as epidemics particularly during the time of disaster. An urgent need of sanitary facilities with suitable technologies is recommended for all the islands.

5.8.11 Health: The population of Lakshadweep island is prone to various water borne diseases such as Diarrhea, Cholera, Gastroenteritis, Dysentery, Infective Hepatitis, Poliomyelitis, Malaria/Filaria and some of the skin diseases. The Administration has a provision of Medical Officer attached to a community health center on each of the inhabited island and a First-aid center at Bitra Island. Even though a special quota of 10 students in the medicine is allocated for Lakshadweep islands, there is dearth of specialists on most of these islands due to the existing recruitment policies of the government. This leads to inadequacy of the medical staff and the specialists leading to poor medical aid during the time of disaster. Special efforts to recruit doctors with a mandatory time frame to work on islands are urgently required so as to address these gaps. Arrangement for extra manpower, doctors, paramedic's as well as storage and distribution of medicines and facilities for mobile hospitals, which can be installed on a ship/ vessel, can be considered. The islands are linked to main land through ISRO telemedicine network.

5.8.12 Solid Waste Disposal: Lakshadweep Administration has banned the use of plastics and non-biodegradable materials on islands. In the event of an accidental use of such materials, they are collected and incinerated on the islands. The mechanism for disposal of other biodegradable materials is being developed in a phased manner.

5.8.13 Energy Requirements: The energy requirements of the local population are being fulfilled by the diesel run gensets for which the diesel is imported in containers from the mainland and transported from island to island through boats. No standards procedures and norms are followed in the transport and storage of diesel, which may result, into a disaster itself in case of any accident. Even though Solar panels are being used for street lighting, the use of non-conventional energy sources is strongly recommended. The requirement of fuel is fulfilled through use of coconut husk.

29 Chapter 6

MITIGATION, PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS EXISTING STATUS

6.1 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:

The goal of Disaster Preparedness programs is to achieve a satisfactory level of readiness to respond to any emergency situation through programs that strengthen the technical and managerial capacity of governments, organizations, and communities. During the preparedness phase, governments, organizations, and individuals develop plans to save lives, minimize disaster damage, and enhance disaster response operations. Preparedness measures include preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training; warning systems; emergency communications systems; evacuation plans and training; resource inventories; emergency personnel/contact lists; mutual aid agreements; and public information/education.

6.2 DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY:

There is no Disaster Management Act for this Territory. This UT is without legislature and the rules of the Central Government are followed. However, the administration has formulated a framework of Disaster Management Plan for Lakshadweep during 2004. The framework serves as the basic guidelines document towards cyclone preparedness and response mechanism.

6.3 TECHNO-LEGAL FRAMEWORK:

In Lakshadweep. Local Public Works Department is undertaking all construction works in the Government sector. They follow the CPWD manuals, codes etc. Certain norms need to be modified to suit the local requirements, as these islands are coral islands. A specialized agency like National Building Board may be entrusted the task to identify the areas to be modified in the manuals and codes to suit the structural requirements of these islands.

6.4 INSTITUTIONAL/ ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK:

The UT of Lakshadweep comes directly under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs. The Administration has formulated a framework of Disaster Management in Lakshadweep. The framework serves as the guideline towards Cyclone preparedness and response. The administration is presently working towards developing a more dynamic disaster management policy in consultation with similarly placed states and UTs in terms of risk to disasters.

6.5 THE LAKSHADWEEP DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY:

The Lakshadweep Disaster Management Authority was constituted in the year 2003 and is headed by the Collector cum Development Commissioner who is also the Relief Commissioner for the UT of Lakshadweep. The Member of Parliament, President cum Chief Counselor and Vice President cum Counselor of District Panchayat and the major department heads are members of Lakshadweep Disaster Management Authority.

30 At the island level, Deputy Collector/ Revenue Sub Divisional Officer/ Additional Sub Divisional Officer are the Chairman and the Departmental Officers, the Chairperson and members of the village (Dweep) panchayat of the respective islands are members.

6.6 FINANCIAL MECHANISM

There is no separate financing system for disaster Management for this UT and all the financial help is to be made by the Government of India. This administration has already requested to the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide funds under NCCF or NCF so that immediate relief can be provided to those affected by natural calamities.

6.7 COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTIVITY

6.7.1 Communication: All the 10 inhabited islands of Lakshadweep have telephone systems with independent telephone exchanges for each of the islands with Sub- Divisional Engineers as incharge of each of the system. However, during the discussions with the local administration, it was reported that the Internet connectivity at Kavaratti as well as on some of the other islands provided by BSNL has a very slow speed and as such the communication with higher speed, which is required at the time of disaster, cannot be established with the mainland as well as from island to island. The mobile connectivity is also provided by BSNL, which is not compatible with the other cellular systems.

6.7.2 Connectivity: The Lakshadweep islands are geographically isolated and have presently been connected to the mainland (Kochi) through air, ship/ vessels and helicopters. Accordingly, the Airport, helipads, jetties, Harbors and Ro-Ro facilities/ Ramps have been created on these islands with the provisions of big vessels, equipment's, winches, and cranes etc.

The islands of Agatti have been connected to Kochi through air by the Indian Airlines flight for 3 days a week and by sea from Kochi to other inhabited islands with a frequency of one per week. Besides this, the Lakshadweep Administration has one Helicopter at their disposal, which is being used as an ambulance to transport the patients from the islands to the mainland's as well as transport of officials of the Lakshadweep Administration in connection with their administrative visits. As such the connectivity and transport from mainland to the islands as well as between other islands has been very poor and inadequate in an event of disaster.

Besides this, there are inter-island ferries and passenger boats with various capacities plying between one island to another island are in operation at all the inhabited islands. In addition to this, there are four cargo ships of 670 capacity plying between Kochi to Kavaratti and four ships with different capacities are based at Kochi for regular use in islands. The tourism department also operates eight boats, which are leased to the sports department at Kadmat and Minicoy which are mostly in defective conditions.

Some of the administrative departments such as Agriculture, Science and Technology and Environment and Forests have also their crafts/ boats for departmental use. The Lakshadweep Harbour Works have some of the floating crafts and vehicles on each of the islands besides 510 mechanized fishery boats on these islands. As per the details about three and four wheelers, in Lakshadweep, the total number of 1180 vehicles including the tractors and tillers are available on these islands as on December 2003.

31 6.8 EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS:

Cyclone warning in Lakshadweep is provided from the Area Cyclone Warning Center at Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. The Meteorological Department has got 2 centers in Lakshadweep, 1 in Minicoy and other in Amini. The warning signals received at the control room functioning at the Collectorate are disseminated to all the islands through fax, phone and police wireless. The Government Educational Institution building and some Religious Educational Institution buildings and also some Government Office building are identified as Cyclone shelters. In this regard, it is recommended to establish an EOC (similar to District Level EOC’s) at Kavaratti.

6.9 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION FACILITIES:

6.9.1 Existing Communications Facilities: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has established telephone facilities in all ten inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep group. Satellite and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) transmission links provide connectivity within island group as well as with Indian mainland via Trunk Automatic exchange (TAX) at Ernakulam.

BSNL has also set-up data connectivity in some of the islands to provide low data rate Internet access. BSNL has set-up Cell phone service. However it is not compatible with other cell phone service providers.

Existing transmission links operate on satellite of UHF as detailed below (fig.6.1) • Multi channels Satellite communication links are operational from 6 major islands for inter-island communication as well as for direct communication to mainland. Out of these 4 Islands have stand alone satellite links whereas Kavaratti and Kiltan satellite earth stations can operate as a low capacity back-up to each other using UHF link via Amini and Kadmat islands. • Ultra High Frequency (UHF) links provide connectivity from Kavaratty and Kiltan satellite stations to remaining 4 islands.

Fig.6.1:- Existing transmission links in Lakshadweep Islands

• Redundant connectivity on either satellite or UHF links is not available for: Agatti, Andrott, Bitra, Kalpeni, Minicoy and Chetlat

32 6.9.2 Issues Related to Normal Communication Services: Inputs from local administrations indicate that Internet service is not up-to the mark due to low data rate. In all likelihood probable reason for low data rate Internet service may be commercial rather than technical. This issue needs to be taken-up with Kerala circle of BSNL.

Telephone exchange capacities at most islands are nearly filled to the maximum capacity. These exchanges need up-gradation to cater for new demand arising in future. This issue is also within jurisdiction of BSNL.

6.9.3 Emergency Communication Facilities (planned): National Emergency Communication Plan (NECP) envisages a network of National, State and District level Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) to provide voice, data and video communication links. Resources required for ensuring highly reliable communications network will be from NIC and POLNET. Minimum requirements for emergency communication are: a. 100% reliable Voice connectivity from all islands even during natural disasters b. Data connectivity for e-mail and videoconferencing

POLNET has established a VSAT link at Kavaratty Island. Similarly NIC also has set-up a node at Kavaratty and has facilities for data transfer, videoconferencing etc. with main land. POLNET as well as NICNET doesn’t have presence in all islands. As such it is necessary to provide for alternate resources for redundancy links.

6.10 EFFECT OF NATURAL DISASTERS ON EXISTING COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

All existing communication facilities such as telephone exchanges, satellite earth stations and UHF transmission equipment is likely to be rendered non-operational in case islands get flooded up-to the height of 1.5 meters due to heavy rains and floods or excessive heavy rains (similar to cloud bursts) due to cyclonic weather, as predicted in the report of expert group. The local power stations are also likely to be shut down due to water entering into machines.

It is essential to ensure that Emergency Communication equipment operates satisfactorily even under these extreme conditions. The emergency communication sets will have to satisfy following conditions: • To operate with minimum prime power (mains or battery power) • Require minimum space and should be of lightweight so that they can be installed on rooftops of buildings (to be above flood water level). • Should operate independent of telephone exchanges as well as local satellite earth stations. • The system should provide inter island connectivity as well links to mainland.

6.11 SUGGESTED EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM:

The first and most important step is to establish an Emergency Operations Centre at Kavaratty in a building constructed as per structural design to withstand severity of earthquake likely to occur in the region. The EOC has to be constructed on stilts or should be located on upper floors so that floodwaters don’t enter in the equipment room. The EOC should have back- up power supply including Uninterrupted Power System (UPS) with engine generator set of adequate capacity. Facility to store fuel for running the generator set at least for 48 hours.

33 The EOC will have dual VSAT links, one each from Department of Space (DoS) and POLNET (as proposed below). It will also have connectivity via NICNET by extending its connectivity with a local link between NIC node and EOC. Similarly a local link will be set-up between POLNET node and EOC to provide backup on POLNET. An ISDN link from local BSNL exchange will act as an additional back-up link for video-conferencing. However all these links may fail (except POLNET VSAT installed on rooftop) during heavy flooding / inundation of the island.

A VSAT link operating with POLNET including all facilities planned for portable communication terminal i.e. voice, data and videoconference facilities will be set-up at EOC. The VSAT equipment will be installed on rooftop of EOC building to ensure its operations even during sever flooding. The communication set will include couple of satellite phones for anywhere connectivity (see fig.6.2). List of emergency communication equipment for EOC at Kavaratty is given in the Table 6.1 and the budgetary costs are given in Table 6.2

Table 6.1:- Emergency Communication Equipment for Use at EOC

S TYPE OF EQUIPMENT QTY. Purpose 1. VSAT with 1.2 M Antenna 1 No. Voice, data and video links 2. Global Mobile Personal 2 No. Voice communication from any place to Communication System “Iridium” any phone (fixed, mobile or satellite) 3. Public Address (PA) System 1 No. To address local people 4. Handy cam (Video Camera) 1 No. To record visuals of extent of damage 5. Video Phone 1 No. For video conference 6. Portable 2500 W Generator set and 1 No. Power supply for communication equip. 200 Liters Kerosene 7. Wires / Distribution Board 1 Lot For power distribution 8. SMF Battery – 12 V / 90 AH capacity 1 No. Back-up supply 9. Laptop computer 1 No. For Data communication

Table 6.2:- BUDGETARY COSTS OF EQUIPMENT FOR EOC TYPE OF EQUIPMENT QTY. UNIT COST (INR) TOTAL COST (INR) 1. VSAT with 1.2 M Antenna 1 No. 3,60,000 3,60,000 2. GMPCS (Iridium) 2 No. 120,000 2,40,000 3. VHF handsets (Walkie talkie) 5 No. 20,000 100,000 4. Handy cam (Video Camera) 1 No. 75,000 75,000 5. Video Phone 1 No. 75,000 75,000 6. Portable 2500 W Engine Generator set 1 No. 50,000 50,000 & 200 Liters Kerosene drum, pump etc. 7. Wires / Distribution Board / tools 1 Lot 25,000 25,000 8. SMF Battery - 12 V / 90 AHC 1 No. 7,000 7,000 9. Laptop computer 1 NO. 1,20,000 1,20,000 10. PA System 1 No. 30,000 30,000 TOTAL 1,062,000 Optional items Telecom shelter (Container) 1 No. 2,50,000 2,50,000

34

COMMUNICATION SET FOR

VIDEO TO POLNET CAMERA HUB VIA VIDEO INSAT CONFERENC EPHONE

VSAT 1.2 METER VSAT IDU ANTENNA

IP PHONE PUBLIC CONVERTE ADDRES S

PORTABLE GEN. VHF SET, BATTERY ETC. LAPTOP 6.12 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AT OTHER ISLANDS

Voice and low speed data communication facilities from other islands can be provided using satellite phones. Satellite phones require very less power and can operate for long hours without mains power. Hence it is the best option. A set of 5 VHF handsets for communication amongst officers responsible for disaster management is also proposed. A laptop computer for sending reports / mails using satellite phone as transmission medium is also proposed.

The list of communication equipment compliment at each of remote island and its budgetary cost will be as given in following Table 6.3 Table 6.3 BUDGETARY COSTS OF EQUIPMENT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT QTY. UNIT COST (INR) TOTAL COST (INR) 1. GMPCS (Iridium) 2 No. 120,000 240,000 2. VHF handsets (Walkie talkie) 5 No. 20,000 100,000 3. Portable 500 W Engine Generator 1 No. 20,000 20,000 set & 40 Liters Kerosene 4. Wires / Distribution Board / tools 1 Lot 25,000 25,000 5. SMF Battery - 12 V / 90 AHC 1 No. 7,000 7,000 6. Laptop computer 1 NO. 1,20,000 120,000 7. PA System 1 No. 30,000 30,000 542,000 TOTAL Rounded to Rs. 5.5 Lacs

35 Total cost of equipment for 9 islands @ Rs.5.5 Lakhs = Rs. 49.5 Lakhs Cost of emergency equipment for 10 islands works out to: = Equipment cost for EOC+ Cost of equipment for 9 islands =Rs. (10.62+ 49.5) Lakhs =Rs.60.12 Lakhs Rounded to Rs. 60.0 Lakhs

Emergency communication facilities at various islands after installation of equipment will be as in Table 6.4: Table 6.4 Emergency Communication Facilities Sr. Island Existing system Emergency system Remarks No. BSNL NIC 1 Agatti Satellite link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 2 Amini UHF link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 3 Andrott Satellite link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 4 Bitra UHF link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 5 Chetlat UHF link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 6 Kadmat UHF link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 7 Kalpeni Satellite link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 8 Kavaratty Satellite link Satellite Satellite Phones & Voice, data and video link VSAT system links 9 Kiltan Satellite link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data 10 Minicoy Satellite link Satellite Phones Voice / low speed data

36 Chapter 7

MITIGATION AND PREVENTION: PROPOSED MEASURES

7.1 NEED FOR SPATIAL DATABASE FOR LONGTERM DISASTER MITIGATION STRATAGIES:

The disaster mitigation works mainly address the following: (i) minimise the potential risks by developing disaster early warning strategies, (ii) prepare and implement developmental plans to provide resilience to such disasters, (iii) mobilise resources including communication and tele-medicinal services and (iv) To help in rehabilitation and post-disaster reduction.

Disaster management on the other hand involves: (i) Pre-disaster planning, preparedness, monitoring including relief management capability. (ii) Prediction and early warning. (iii) Damage assessment and relief management. Disaster reduction is a systematic work which involves with different regions, different professions and different scientific fields, and has become an important measure for human, society and nature sustainable development.

Space systems from their vantage position have unambiguously demonstrated their capability in providing vital information and services for disaster management. The Earth Observation satellites provide comprehensive, synoptic and multi temporal coverage of large areas in real time and at frequent intervals. Thus, they have become valuable for continuous monitoring of atmospheric as well as surface parameters related to natural disasters. Geo- stationary satellites provide continuous and synoptic observations over large areas on weather including cyclone-monitoring. Polar orbiting satellites have the advantage of providing much higher resolution imageries, even though at low temporal frequency, which could be used for detailed monitoring, damage assessment and long-term relief management. The vast capabilities of communication satellites are available for timely dissemination of early warning and real-time coordination of relief operations. The advent of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) and Ultra Small Aperture Terminals (USAT) and phased - array antennae have enhanced the capability further by offering low cost, viable technological solutions towards management and mitigation of disasters. Satellite communication capabilities-fixed and mobile is vital for effective communication, especially in data collection, distress alerting, and position location and co- coordinating relief operations in the field. In addition, Search and Rescue satellites provide capabilities such as position determination facilities onboard which could be useful in a variety of land, sea and air distress situations.

Disaster management is an exercise in logistics and information processing and distribution. Disasters will often overwhelm mechanisms for coordination and communication. In addition, the mechanisms to bring data and information to decision makers are uncoordinated. Information is often produced from disparate sources and transmitted in whatever format the provider prefers, requiring significant effort to compile it into a form that provides a coherent picture or even thwarting integration altogether. Data standards are often inconsistent and, even more dangerous; users are sometimes unaware of the limitations and uncertainties in data or are presented with conflicting interpretations of data without the means to assess the reliability of the

37 sources. All of these issues reduce the efficacy of the decision-making process. The problem is compounded because information delivery systems in many cases become overloaded.

In order to develop the Information Technology architecture for case scenarios application it is essential to understand the disaster event from the perspective of those responsible for assimilating the data. The effective use of this information for producing operational plans to deal with the disaster event and its aftermath is critical. Disaster management is not a linear process that can be documented easily in a flow chart with a readily apparent beginning and absolute end point. Rather, it is a cyclical process of approximation, response and re-calibration that involves many different actors whose roles in relation to one another are likely to change based on circumstances and the stage in the process. The one constant evident in the process is the chaos that drives the system. Another absolute is that the effective, efficient application of information technologies and products has the capacity to improve the system in a number of ways that will combine to save lives, mitigate overall damage, conserve resources and ameliorate human suffering. To develop effective architectures and technologies that meet the needs of the disaster management community there must be a precise understanding of the disaster management life- cycle(Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery), the Information Communities that combine to define the disaster management community and the information processing requirements associated with the cycle of data development, dissemination, analysis and review. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, there must be a precise understanding of the dynamics between these components and the “interfaces” that these dynamics imply. Only with such and understanding can we effectively model the process and derive technology solution

7.2 ROLE OF SATELLITE AND GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ISLAND:

Geospatial Informatics technologies could be a major asset in identifying and mitigating Emergency response weaknesses and improving disaster management. The use of remotely sensed data to support disaster management includes the ability to:

(i) Develop accurate digital terrain models and 3-D surface features as a means for modeling landforms. (ii) Visualize terrain from different perspectives, with the potential for developing threat cones and view sheds. (iii) Classify land use and land cover type and monitor its growth. (iv) Detect, classify, and analyze temporal and spatial changes in surface features. (v) Identify facilities where topography or identifiable hazards place communities at risk. (vi) Analyze environmental factors quickly and effectively. (vii) Merge real-time sensor output (video, bio-chemical sensors) with archived geospatial data.

The island geographical area are limited and spread out with associated lagoon environment covering a larger area. The island has high population density with thick cover of coconut plantations. Satellite remote sensing forms an important tool for monitoring the island and its lagoon area. As the area is small a high resolution data with a better than one meter resolution would be ideal to generate spatial database for the area. Most of the islands are flat with a gentle topography. The highest elevation is around 6 to 7 meters in some of the islands. Most of the existing spatial database has been generated by Centre for Earth Studies, Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with the Science and Technology Department of Lakshadweep. They have developed elevation data with one meter contour interval for all the islands and land use / land cover map on 1:4000 scales under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme.

38 The present generation of aerial / satellite based technology offers tremendous scope to improve some of the existing data base. The airborne laser terrain mapping units (ALTM) with Digital camera on board can improve some of the existing database available for the islands. The data from the recently Launched CARTOSAT can provide high resolution synoptic data coverage for the islands and its lagoon environment with better temporal coverage. A comprehensive geo- database package can be developed using with a user friendly query shell based on Decision Support System. This would be an important tool for the district administrator to integrate his resource for better disaster mitigation planning. The following data base can be generated which would enhance the existing spatial data base

(i) Contour map at less than one meter say 0.5 m interval (ii) Infrastructure map including all the settlements, roads etc at 1:500 scale and attribute information of all the demographic characteristics (iii) Land use / Landover map on 1:500 scales with a scope of regular updating. (iv) Decision Support System with user friendly query shells

7.3 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING:

The need for a well trained pool of man power and organization including voluntary organizations in dealing with disaster is recommended.

The following priority area of capacity building can be identified for immediate implementation in Lakshadweep. 1) Establishment of a Disaster Management Cell with adequate manpower and infrastructure. This cell would act as the nodal agency for Disaster Mitigation and Response activities. The proposed cell would act as a multi disciplinary, multi approach organization and would carry out the entire gamut of activities related to Disaster Management. 2) Training of officers, staff from stakeholder department resource personals, people's representatives and identified NGOs. The programme should focus on the concept of training of trainers (TOT). All the abbreviation needs to be explained as an appendix or in the text. 3) Conducting seminars, workshops and community based programmes for sensitization of the stakeholder including PRIs and woman representatives. 4) Carrying out specific research/studies by the identified departments either by themselves or with the help of national level organizations. The objective is to create database and a documented body of research, which would cater to the specific disaster management needs of Lakshadweep. 5) Formulation of awareness campaigns and strategies for implementation for Risk Mitigation activities

7.4 IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE 1) Upgrading the IT infrastructure to be created in the Disaster Management Cell. Since the UT is very small, it is proposed to conduct GIS study for the entire UT. 2) Enhancing the communication infrastructure capabilities, which would include a mix of VSAT communication, video conferencing and other satellite based communication systems.

39 3) Carrying out engineering research towards creation of hazard resistant structures and shelters. 4) Enhancing the scope of Shelter Belt plantation through Community Participation using suitable species of plants which can bind and stabilize the sand at identified locations. 5) Establishment of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Kavaratti. 6) Enhancing the existing Fire Fighting mechanism on all the islands with suitable trained manpower. 7) Enhancing the existing medical facilities along with provision of a mobile hospital and suitable mechanism for storage and distribution of medicines during an emergency. 8) Augmenting the existing transport facilities from mainland to the selected islands through increase in number of flights, extension of the existing landing facilities and expansion of airport at Agatti, provision of additional landing facilities at Kavaratti and Kadmat and provision of helipads with helicopters having accommodation of at least 25 persons each. 9) The existing connectivity through the sea should be improved by providing more number of vessels with additional frequency and carrying capacity both for the passengers and cargo. Additional facilities for provision of Ramps as well as Ro-Ro facility with the cranes and other equipment's' may be provided at least on 4 islands to help transport the boats from sea to the mainland during the time of calamity. 10) The existing communication system should be enhanced on priority by providing the Internet connectivity with broadband facility and Audio-Video communication and conferencing so as to establish communication with the mainland and various islands during the time of disaster.

7.5 IMPROVING DISASTER MANAGEMENT 1) Preparation of the Risk Vulnerability Maps, creation of Disaster Management Library, creation of informative and dynamic Disaster Management Website. 2) Provision of V-SATS as well as mobile communication devices along with KIOSKS and facilities such as improvement of existing Tele-medicine be considered along with improvement of the existing communication network. 3) The existing scheme of Ex-gratia payment/compensation for losses/ damage to the coconut trees due to natural hazard need to be reviewed in the light of the existing conditions on the islands. This is in view of the uniqueness of these islands, which grow coconut plantation as major source of livelihood, and there are no other options as on the mainlands. Similarly, the compensation to be paid to the damaged boats during the natural calamities needs to be reviewed. A suitable mechanism to compensate such losses through the scheme of insurance may also be considered. Payment of subscription for the premia for a suitable insurance policy may be made by each of the subscriber and can be subsidized by the Lakshadweep Administration by partial payment of the same. 4) As per the existing system there is no financial mechanism or facility of disaster relief fund for disbursement of Ex-gratia payment to the affected people. There is an urgent need to review this policy and make such funds available with the Lakshadweep Administration along with allocation of powers for their disbursement to the appropriate authorities. 5) These recommendations may be considered on priority so as to augment the existing facility and enhance preparedness and response of Lakshadweep Administration so as to reduce the vulnerability of various islands and improve the existing infrastructure and

40 manpower leading to effective implementation and management of disasters on these islands.

7.6 PROPOSED STUDIES

From the foregoing account, it is evident that Lakshadweep islands are at risk from the natural hazards like storms, cyclones, sea level rise, rainfall and the associated factors like winds, waves, atmospheric pressure, storm surges, tsunamis, etc. In such events, the islands are likely to be inundated due to these forces and because of their low elevation levels from MSL. Hence a detailed, holistic study has to be taken up for assessment of the storm surge heights and the areas that are likely to be inundated based on historical and recent data on various parameters.

7.6.1 Tasks To Be Carried Out: Storm surge modeling, Tsunami wave propagation modeling, inundation mapping and areas of inundation at different scenarios. The existing geo-spatial data on the elevation and land use can be improved with accurate techniques like ALTM (Air borne laser Terrain mapping) and preparation of Land use / Land cover map on 1:500 scale.

7.6.2 Data required and Sources: Storm surge prediction, Tsunami wave and inundation mapping models require specification of the coastal boundaries (land topography), detailed bathymetry, oceanographic parameters, meteorological parameters (including storm characteristics), hydrological input, basin characteristics, wind stress and seabed friction, and information about the astronomical tides. For carrying out storm surge estimation, modeling, and inundation mapping of Lakshadweep islands, the data listed in Table 7.1 are required and the possible sources are indicated against each. Table 7.1 Data required for Surge & Tsunami Modeling Data Source Topography/ bathymetry Bathymetry charts for Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep sea and NHO around the islands Contour map of islands in GIS at fine scale/ Digital data SOI, NRSA, CESS Land use map and coastal geomorphological maps with CESS,NRSA for high resolution emphasis on micro-landforms and its dynamics mapping & monitoring Meteorological data Synoptic charts for past cyclones in Arabian Sea IMD Rainfall / Discharge during cyclones IMD Pressure drop (difference between ambient pressure IMD/ satellite surrounding the storm and the central pressure Wind speed, wind direction IMD/Satellite(Quicksat/ NCMRWF Radius of maximum wind IMD/ Satellite(INSAT/ NCMRWF/ Quicksat) Place of Landfall/ track of cyclone IMD/ NCMRWF Duration of the storm IMD/ NCMRWF Oceanographic data Wave data from Ship observations (Indian Daily Weather IMD Reports) Satellite analysed winds NCMRWF Tidal data for the islands SOI, NIOT Buoy data NDBP/ NIO Currents NIO

41 7.6.3 Proposed Action Plan: The above mentioned data will be collected from various institutions and storm surge and Tsunami wave model will be accomplished by ICMAM along with CESS, Thiruvananthapuram and the scenarios of inundation at different levels of surge heights will be generated in GIS for estimation of areas of inundation in all inhabited islands and to take appropriate measures for rehabilitation, etc. An account of the steps that are involved and the possible Institutions/Organisations are given in Table 7.2 Table 7.2 Actions/Steps & Possible Institutions/Organisations. Actions/Steps Instt./Org. Procurement, incorporation of Bathymetry data in Model ICMAM Collection of bathymetry data at bays and selected locations ICMAM/CESS Contour maps in fine scale at 0.5 m level for all islands using SOI / NRSA field data / ALTM . With ALTM time involved will be less. Coastal profile map of islands in fine scale ICMAM/ CESS Supply of meteorological data IMD, MHA / NCMWRF Procurement and incorporation of data on tide, wave, etc ICMAM/CESS Collection of Tide data (30 days) at 5 locations and currents at ICMAM/CESS 2 locations (15 days) Collection of current data at 2 locations (15 days) ICMAM/CESS Storm surge model, calibration and scenarios of inundation ICMAM/ CESS Preparation of Inundation maps ICMAM Development of strategies for protection of islands from Storm ICMAM surge/ Tsunami inundation

These studies involve long time, and are already under the scope of the DOD’s initiative on Early Warning System for Storm Surges and Tsunami for the entire country. These studies are estimated to be completed within 24 months. For the present, to plan for disaster management in the event of storms, cyclones, etc, the contour maps prepared by CESS could be used for assessing the areas that are likely to be inundated.

42 Chapter 8

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE: IMMEDIATE & LONG TERM IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES

Based on the discussions held with various officials of the Lakshadweep Administration, elected representatives of the community as well as the vulnerability and hazard scenario in Lakshadweep islands and existing status of infrastructure and framework of Disaster Management in Lakshadweep, following needs are identified by the visiting members of The National Task Force. Depending on the nature of needs, immediate and Long-term actions are envisaged as follows:

8.1 TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING:

Immediate: The following priority areas of capacity building can be identified for immediate implementation in Lakshadweep.

Establishment of a Hazard Safety Cell with adequate manpower and infrastructure. The Cell should act as a multi disciplinary, multi approach organization.

Long-term: The need for a well-trained pool of manpower and organization including voluntary organizations in dealing with disaster is recommended.

Training of officers, staff from stakeholder department resource personals, people's representatives and identified NGOs. The programme should focus on the concept of training of trainers (TOT).

Formulation of awareness campaigns and strategies for implementation for Risk Mitigation activities

8.2 COMMUNICATION

Immediate: The existing communication system should be enhanced on priority by providing the Internet connectivity with broadband facility and Audio-Video communication and conferencing so as to establish immediate effective communication with the mainland and various islands during the time of disaster. Long – term: Upgrading the IT infrastructure. Since the UT is very small, it is proposed to conduct GIS study for the entire UT.

Enhancing the communication infrastructure capabilities, which would include a mix of VSAT communication, video conferencing and other satellite based communication systems.

Establishment of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Kavaratti.

8.3 MITIGATION / PROTECTION MEASURES

Immediate: Shore protection measures for erosion prone areas identified by ‘Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvanantapuram.’

43 Long-term: Enhancing the scope of Shelter Belt plantation through Community Participation using suitable species of plants which can bind and stabilize the sand at identified locations.

8.4 PREPAREDNESS:

Immediate: Enhancing the existing Fire Fighting mechanism on all the islands with suitable trained manpower. Long-term: Enhancing the existing medical facilities and suitable mechanism for storage and distribution of medicines during an emergency.

8.5 CONNECTIVITY

8.5.1 Air-Link: Immediate: Augmenting the existing transport facilities from mainland to the selected islands through increase in aircraft capacity (say ATR) and number of flights. Addition of one helicopter for Administration / Passenger Services Long-term: Extension of the existing landing facilities and expansion of airport at Agatti, provision of additional landing facilities at Kavaratti and Kadmat and provision of helipads with helicopters having accommodation of about 25 persons each.

8.5.2 Sea- Link: Immediate: The existing connectivity through the sea should be improved by providing more number of vessels with higher speed and additional frequency as well as carrying capacity both for the passengers and cargo. Long-term: Additional facilities for provision of Ramps as well as Ro-Ro facility with the cranes and other equipment's' may be provided at least on 4 islands to help transport the boats from sea to the mainland during the time of calamity.

8.6 STUDIES FOR STORM SURGE & TSUNAMI INUNDATION

Since, Lakshadweep islands are at risk from the natural hazards like storms, cyclones, sea level rise, rainfall and the associated factors like winds, waves, atmospheric pressure, storm surges, tsunamis, etc. and as such these islands are likely to be inundated due to these forces because of their low elevation levels from MSL. It is therefore recommended that a detailed, holistic study may be taken up for assessment of the storm surge heights and the areas that are likely to be inundated based on historical and recent data on various parameters. It is also suggested that studies on Storm Surge modelling, Tsunami Wave Propagation Modeling, Inundation Mapping and Areas of Inundation at different scenarios may be taken up through the institutions actively involved in these activities in collaboration with India Meteorological Department (IMD), Department of Ocean Development (DOD), and Geological Survey of India (GSI).

8.7 NEED FOR SPATIAL DATABASE FOR LONGTERM DISASTER MITIGATION STRATAGIES:

Short term ¾ Use the existing available geo-spatial data for planning especially the maps prepared under the ICZM programme

44 ¾ Make available the digital data to the planners especially the district administrator in customized form ¾ The existing data base on the elevation should contain all the present day infrastructure facility available during the disaster like the cyclone shelter, schools , helipad for easy querying ¾ The planners should be trained to use this geo-spatial data during the disaster time for decision making Long term – Improvement of the existing database for the following: 1. Develop accurate digital terrain models and 3-D surface features as a means for modeling landforms. 2. Visualize terrain from different perspectives, with the potential for developing threat cones and view sheds 3. Classify land use and land cover type and monitor its growth 4. Detect, classify, and analyze temporal and spatial changes in surface features; 5. Identify facilities where topography or identifiable hazards place communities at risk; 6. Analyze environmental factors quickly and effectively; 7. Merge real-time sensor output (video, bio-chemical sensors) with archived geospatial data;

8.8 FRAMEWORK OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

It is also recommended that based on the studies mentioned above, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) may prepare a Framework of Disaster Management Plan and a Decision Support System using geological information system as well as satellite imageries obtained from National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) in collaboration with Space Application Center (SAC), Ahemedabad which could further be implemented by the Lakshadweep Administration as well as Ministry of Home Affairs.

8.9 TECHNO LEGAL FRAME WORK

Immediate: So as to implement various activities related to management of hazards on the Lakshadweep islands, the existing provisions of CRZ Notifications, 1991 need to be reviewed and suitable amendments be made to these provisions.

Necessary funds may be made available to Lakshadweep Administration for disbursement of assistance during the hazards. Long- term: The existing scheme for payment/compensation for losses/ damage to the coconut trees due to natural hazard need to be reviewed in the light of the existing conditions on the islands. This is in view of the uniqueness of these islands, which grow coconut plantation as major source of livelihood, and there are no other options as on the mainlands. Similarly, the compensation to be paid to the damaged boats during the natural calamities needs to be reviewed. A suitable mechanism to compensate such losses through the scheme of insurance may also be considered. Payment of subscription for the premia for a suitable insurance policy may be made by each of the subscriber and can be subsidized by the Lakshadweep Administration by partial payment of the same.

45 8.10 TABLE OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The detailed recommendations – Immediate & long term are presented in a tabular form for ready reference. Table 8.1 Vulnerability Issues & Recommendations

Vulnerability Issues/ Status /Gaps Recommendations Physical Vulnerability Short Term Long Term 1. Geographical Isolation Connectivity of these Islands Long-term measures to be 2.Insularity and Remoteness with the main land through evolved based on • Isolated from the main land i.e., Air and Sea Route should be appropriate Studies through West Coast reviewed and improved on specialized institutions • Located in the Arabian sea: 200 to priority. 400 km away from the mainland • Each cluster of island isolated and located from the other islands 3. Geological Formations Since the livelihoods of the • Action Plan for long- • All islands formed of Corals i.e., Coastal population are term Conservation and Ecological Sensitive Areas mostly dependent on Coral Management of Coral • Limited scope for development reefs and associated Bio- reefs should be drawn / within the existing norms of CRZ diversity, Bio-monitoring of implemented. Notification, 1991 as amended health of Coral reefs on • Integrated Coastal Zone from time to time priority is strongly Management (ICZM) advocated. should be adopted. 4. Small size and Population Appropriate Population Pressure control measures, suitable • 10 islands inhibited land use planning and • Total area 32 sq. km integrated Coastal • Land use area 26.89 sq. km management approach are • Total population (as per 2001 recommended. Census) 60,595 • Limited carrying capacity to accommodate growing population. • Limited scope for infrastructure development 5. Erosion and Accretion Area specific Erosion Shore protection measures • Most of the islands are prone to Control measures to be should be based on long erosion/ accretion cycle leading to adopted term studies on Erosion – reduction of the island area Accretion Cycle and · Shore protection measures are modeling inadequate • Limited scope for construction of embankments, sea walls and other structural measures 6. Mitigation and Shore Protection Shore protection measure for Shelter belt plantation by Measures erosion prone areas identified using suitable species Limited scope for shelter belt by Centre for Earth Science should be encouraged plantation and regeneration of Studies (CESS), through community mangroves due to soil conditions and Thiruvananthapuram be participation at identified supply of fresh water implemented locations.

46 Vulnerability Issues/ Status /Gaps Recommendations Physical Vulnerability Short Term Long Term 7. Earthquake • Lakshadweep islands have been New constructions to be done following Retrofitting of old classified as Seismic Zone III as per recommended criteria for the earthquake buildings IS: 1893-2002 which is referred as prone areas. recommended. Moderate Damage Risk Zone of MSK-VII in the Vulnerability Atlas of India, 1997. Faults running parallel to the West Coast on the mainland have the potential to generate M 6.5 earthquake causing MSK-VII shaking in the islands. 8. Inundation/ Water logging • Most of the inhabited islands are • Shelters are recommended to be built Constructions of located at an elevation of 0.1- 7 m up at a higher elevation. residential and from MSL and are prone to inundation • All the constructions should be as per office buildings and sea level rise the recommended guidelines. should be done at • All the low-lying areas get inundated • Suitable measures for drainage using the higher elevation and water logged due to heavy rains channels and sluice gates so as to avoid and cyclones recommended. impact of • Constructions of buildings and houses inundation in low lying areas are prone to serious damage Infrastructure and Preparedness 9. Communication • Inadequate communication facilities Existing communication system All the inhabited • Poor connectivity to major needs drastic up-gradation and islands should be • Communication systems improvement of the IT infrastructure provided with • Communication infrastructure and including VSAT Communication, effective network limited to a few islands. Most of Video Conferencing and other Communication IT the islands isolated from each other and Satellite based communication infrastructure along remain without any communication system. with broadband connectivity. 10. Energy Use of suitable cost effective Non- Studies on cost- Energy sources limited to diesel generators conventional sources of energy such effective leading to high potential of fire hazards and as wind, solar and tidal energy is technologies for pollution both due to transport of diesel strongly recommended on all the alternate sources of Wind and Solar energy tapped in a limited inhabited islands energy for use on manner Islands suggested. 11. Connectivity and Transport • Air connectivity by Indian Airlines only and limited to Agatti and Bangaram islands • Scope for extending existing runway and expansion of Port & Harbor activities/ jetties and embarkation facilities • Freq. of flights limited to 3 days

47 Vulnerability Issues/ Status /Gaps Recommendations Physical Vulnerability Short Term Long Term • Small Size of Aircraft, Flight • All the inhabited Islands should be • Expansion accommodation for 18 passengers only provided with Helipads and services of of existing • Helipads located on a few islands, bigger size helicopters. runs way. however, only 1 helicopter with limited • Frequency & capacity of existing vessels • Air strips frequency and ships should be increased. on two • Helipads used as ambulance for • Intra island transport facilities using one other islanders and mostly used by officials of mechanized boat which 25 passenger Islands. the administration 2 ships plying between capacity and speed of 25 knots for all the • Air Kochi and Agatti once in a week inhabited Islands (except Minicoy) & two services. • Intra- island transport limited to a few numbers of vessels with capacity of 100 boats mainly used for transportation of passengers and speed of 25 knots for Construction goods and cargo Minicoy Islands are recommended. of Eastern • Limited facilities and preparedness for • Construction of Slip-way Ramp with side jetties in evacuation during the period of disaster hauling winch arrangement at Kavaratti for Chetlat, • Most of the jetties are constructed on hauling fishing boat during the emergency Kadmat, Western side of Islands leading to should be provided on trial basis & Kalpeni and difficulty in embarkation and dis- extended to other Islands if found suitable. Kiltan embarkation of passengers and loading • Mobile Crane of suitable capacity (8-10 T) Islands and un-loading of cargo during South- for lifting of sunken boats during the should be West monsoon. emergencies should be provided in planned and • Eastern side embarkation facilities have addition to the existing capacity of Fixed executed on been planned at Agatti, Amini, Kavaratti Cranes on the jetties priority. and Minicoy Islands 12.Fire Susceptibility • Transportation, Storage and handling of all • Transportation of diesel, kerosene, the hazardous substances should strictly be aviation fuel is not as per the HSMD as per Guidelines of MoEF. rules and leads to potential fire hazards • Adequate fire fighting facilities, • Fire-fighting facilities and man-power infrastructure & trained man power on all limited to few islands the inhabited islands should be provided to • Inadequate availability of fire-fighting cope up with Fire hazards. equipment and training. 13.Construction of Houses/ Buildings • Construction of residential and office • All • Constructions are not as per the design buildings should be as per the Guidelines. constructio criteria • Use of Coral sand for construction should ns should • Construction materials mainly made up of be strictly prohibited. be at bricks and cement derived from coralline higher sand which are not suitable elevations • Constructions of buildings & houses in • Necessary low lying areas are prone to inundation retrofitting measures to be provided

48 Vulnerability Issues/ Status/Gaps Recommendations Physical Vulnerability Short Term Long Term 14.Construction of Shelters All the Buildings proposed Additional Shelters, as per • Most of the existing Schools/ Madrsas and to be used as Shelters requirements should be Religious places are used as temporary should be provided with constructed as per the shelters and have not been provided with suitable facilities. recommended design criteria adequate facilities for sanitation, drinking and Guidelines. water, electricity, transport etc. • The construction of these shelters are not as per the design criteria • Facilities for the male, female population as well as children, old and disabled people are not adequate 15. Livelihood Security • Payment for losses to Insurance mechanism for • The main livelihood of the local bio-diversity and its payment of compensation for community is dependent on fisheries and consequential impacts on losses to property and life as Coconut Plantations the livelihood and well as coconut plantations, • No alternate sources of livelihood economy due to disasters and boats should be • Compensation for damages to boats and need be considered by implemented. coconut plantations due to disasters and the authorities. paid by the Govt are not commensurate • Suitable guidelines for with the economic losses in the light of ex-gratia payment prevailing market value of these should be framed & resources. implemented. 16. Tourism Long term studies for • Lakshadweep islands, due to their scenic formulation of a Policy for beauty have a tremendous potential for development of Tourism and tourism development. related infrastructure based on • However, these Islands are vulnerable to carrying capacity of the high volume tourism due to their limited Islands are suggested along carrying capacity in terms of space, with suitable remedial accommodation, drinking water, measures sanitation, energy, communication and transport. • Development of increasing tourism may have an adverse impact on the Bio- diversity & Coral Reef ecosystem 17. Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on •Bio-physical monitoring Management Action Plan Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of the of health of Coral reefs (MAP) for Conservation of Coral Reef Ecosystem along with suitable Coral reefs & marine • •Lakshadweep islands are exclusively measures for their Biodiversity to be formulated provided with conservation should be and imple- mented. • Coastal & Marine environment with implemented on priority. Declaration of Lakshadweep specific reference to Coral Ecosystem waters as special areas under • · Ecological sensitive areas rich in MARPOL, 73/78 after Biodiversity but vulnerable to micro- complying the requirement climatic variations viz. change in surface based on scientific study to temperature leading to bleaching and mass support the fragility of the eco mortality of Coral Reefs. system may be considered.

49

Vulnerability Issues/ Status /Gaps Recommendations Physical Vulnerability Short Term Long Term

18. Marine Pollution /Solid Urgent measures for suitable Waste Management sanitation facilities as well as • Marine pollution is mainly due to treatment of sewage and solid oil slicks and disposal of waste management need to be untreated sewage in the sea. provided by the Lakshadweep • Solid wastes of non- Admin. so as to avoid adverse biodegradable nature such as impact of marine pollution on plastics also act as major source coastal and marine bio of pollution. diversity as well as Coral • No adequate treatment facilities Reef Ecosystem. available 19. Drinking Water/ Ground • So as to avoid salinity Water availability ingress no tapping of • Sources of drinking water are ground water be allowed in limited to ground water tapped the Coastal area from the wells which leads to • Desalination of Seawater salinity ingress and rain water harvesting on • Drinking water supply all the inhabited islands is augmented through installation strongly recommended. of desalination plant at Kavaratti • Island population more prone to water borne diseases 20. Sanitation • Sanitary facilities for the • No adequate sanitary facilities existing population should • Untreated sewage directly be provided immediately. disposed into the sea leading to • Suitable methods and eutrophication and impact on the technologies for treatment coral reef ecosystem and disposal of sewage in to • Bio-toilets and community toilets the sea to be adopted. have failed due to loss of community faith 21. Health • Adequate medical facilities, • Health facilities and infrastructure, trained infrastructure inadequate medical staff along with • Lack of medical experts and ambulance services and infrastructure mechanism for supply and • Inadequate supply and distribution of medicines on distribution of medicines all the islands should be • Ambulance facilities limited provided on priority. • •Existing facilities of tele- medicine should be extended to all inhabited islands.

50 Table 8.2 Management Issues & Recommendations Disaster Management Framework Recommendations Short Term Long Term • Education and awareness with 22. Education and Awareness specific reference to preparedness, • Island population has a high literacy mitigation, and response with rate and the islanders have relatively community participation should high level of awareness related to effectively be implemented taking disasters. advantage of literacy and level of awareness at community level. 23.Information and Database and •Establishment of a Database and Decision Support system creation of Disaster Support •Data and information on Lakshadweep System using Remote Sensing and Islands with specific reference to GIS Tools after integrating disaster preparedness and response is available information and maps either scattered or inadequate. prepared by CESS is strongly • Centre for Earth Science Studies recommended (CESS) have prepared digitized maps of Lakshadweep Islands in different scales indicating Contour levels and land use pattern based on the ground truth information and Satellite imageries. 24.Training and Capacity Specific measures for Training of Enhancement Govt. officials, engineers NGOs, Facilities for training and capacity local people should be enhancement of Government Officials, implemented immediately so as to Engineers, NGOs, Local Community enhance their skills & with specific reference to disaster preparedness during the period of preparedness, mitigation and response disaster. are inadequate. 25 Techno- Legal/ Policy Framework •Techno-legal Framework and • Lakshadweep Islands are classified as existing provisions of CRZ ecologically sensitive areas with a status Notification, 1991 need to be of CRZ- I. reviewed and amended so as to •Accordingly, development on these provide necessary facilities and Islands is restricted in the light of infrastructure for effective existing provisions of CRZ Notification, implementation of various 1991 as amended from time to time. recommendations of the Task Force. 26. Early Warning System • Establishment of early Warning • Even though mechanism for Early System along with suitable Warning has been in existence, no equipments, infrastructure, trained formal Early Warning System with man power and mechanism for its suitable equipments, infrastructure and implementation on priority is trained man power is in place on the recommended. Islands.

51

Disaster Management Recommendations Framework Short Term Long Term 27.Establishment of Emergency • Establishment of an EOC at Operations Center (EOC) Kavaratti in line with district • Emergency Operation Center level EOC on mainland with all (EOC) with suitable facilities, the necessary facilities and equipments and manpower is not manpower is recommended. there on Lakshadweep Islands. • Government of India may provide suitable equipments, grants and training to the Lakshadweep Administration in the regard. 28. Disbursement of ex-gratia • Suitable mechanism for payment to the disaster affected disbursement of ex-gratia community payment through the • No existing mechanism for Lakshadweep Administration disbursement of ex-gratia payment along with provisions of the to the disaster affected community. grant should be considered on • No grants available with priority. Lakshadweep Administration for disbursement and payments are being made by the Ministry of Home Affairs directly leading to delays in the disbursement.

52 Annexure - I

CONSTITUTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE TASK FORCE

A National Task Force was constituted under the Chairmanship of Prof.A.S.Arya, National Sesimic Advisor, for carrying out a special study Titled “A Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment of the Lakshadweep Islands” to address the following issues listed below:-

(i) Prevention & mitigation measures to minimize damages to all the infrastructural facilities. (ii) Steps required for preparedness to meet the eventualities arising out of natural disasters; and (iii) To ensure adequate provisions for connectivity and emergency supplies under all circumstances.

The members of the Task Force would, inter alia, comprise of representatives from Department of Ocean Development, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Space, India Metrological Department, Central Water Commission, National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Geological Survey of India, Survey of India and Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (as secretariat support and Mr.J.K.Prasad as member Secretary)

This special study mounted by the Task Force would assess the vulnerability of the Lakshadweep Islands to various hazards and suggest time bound measures & actions required to be taken by different Department/Agencies.

The Task Force will make hazard specific macro & micro level analysis of the vulnerability of Lakshadweep Islands and suggest preventive/mitigation measures as well as all weather communication & essential commodities supply strategy.

The Task force may also visit the Lakshadweep Islands as a part of its fact-finding mission, to make an on the spot assessment of the vulnerability parameters

53 Annexure - II

BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS

1. Origin of Lakshadweep Islands:

1.1 The origin of Lakshdweep Islands can be traced to gradual submergence of some of the volcanic ridge into the Indian Ocean followed by accumulation of coralline deposits on the peaks and craters of these mountains. These deposits grew into coral islands resting on submerged mountaintops over millions of years.

2. History and Background:

2.1 The Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi group of islands was formed in to Union Territory in 1956 and renamed as Lakshadweep on 1-11-1973.

3. Location:

3.1 These Islands are located in the Arabian Sea between latitude 8o and 12o 30' north and between longitude 71o and 74o east at a distance ranging from 200 Km to 400 Km. from the mainland of Kerala coast.

3.2 The islands are grouped into clusters as follows:

• Aminidivi group: ( consisting of 5 inhabited islands) 1)Amini 2)Kadmat 3) Kiltan 4) Chetlat 5) Bitra

• Laccadive group: ( consisting of 4 inhabited and 12 uninhabited islands) 1) Andrott 2) Kavaratti 3) Agatti 4) Kalpeni 5) Kalpitti 6) Bangaram 7) Tinnakkara 8) Parali 9) Tilakkam 10) Pitti 11) Cheriyam 12) Suheli 13) Valiyakara 14) Pakshi Pitti 15) Veiningili and 16) Kodithala ( the first four are inhabited)

• Minicoy group: ( consisting of 2 islands) 1) Minicoy 2) Tinnakkara

• Submerged reefs 1) Beliapani ( Chebeniani) 2) Cheriapani ( Byramgore) 3) Perumul Par

• Submerged banks 1) Bassas de Pedro 2) Sesostris Bank 3) Cora Divh 4) Amini Pitti and 5) Kalpeni Bank

3.3 Each island is fringed by coral sands, and is marked by a huge, shallow, calm lagoon on one the eastern side which separates it from incoming swells of the outer sea by the wall of a reef made-up of massive coral boulders and live corals.

3.4 A common feature of these islands is that a shallow lagoon exists invariably in their western side separating the outer reefal rim from low-lying coral islands composed essentially of calcareous sand and soil.

4. Geographic Features: 4.1 There are in all 27 islands, 3 reefs and 6 submerged sandbanks. Only 10 islands are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. Kavaratti is the Administrative headquarter of the Union Territory.

54 4.2 The total geographical area of Lakshdweep Islands is 32 sq. km. and the land use area is 28.5 Sq. km. Length of coastline of UT of Lakshadweep is 132 Km. The lagoons cover 4200 sq. km. with 20,000 sq. km. of territorial waters and about 0.4 million sq. km. of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

5. Climate:

5.1 Since these Islands are located within the tropics and extend to the equatorial belt, they have a tropical humid, warm and generally pleasant climate becoming more equatorial in the southern islands of the territory.

6. Ecology and Environment:

6.1 There are no rivers, hill areas and forests in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

7. Demographic Features:

7.1 According to 2001 Census, the inhabited Islands a total population of 60595 covering 31118 males and 29477 females with a ratio of 947 females per 1000 males.. Total area of the Islands is 32 sq. km. of which the land use area is 26.89 sq. km. Accordingly, the density of population per sq. km is 2253.. Islandwise area and population of Lakshadweep is given in the Table: 1, Annexure- A

Table: 1- ISLANDWISE AREA AND POPULATION OF LAKSHDWEEP (2001-CENSUS)

S.No. Island Land us area Male Female Population Population Sq.Km (Nos) Per Sq.Km 1. Minicoy 4.37 4616 4879 9495 2173 2. Kaleni 2.28 2279 2040 4319 1894 3. Andrott 4.84 5356 5364 10720 2215 4. Agatti 2.71 3632 3375 7007 2586 5. Kavaratti 3.63 5579 4534 10113 2786 6. Amini 2.59 3727 3613 7340 2834 7. Kadmat 3.12 2685 2634 5319 1705 8. Kltan 1.63 1847 1817 3664 2248 9. Chetlat 1.04 1183 1106 2289 2201 10. Bitra 0.1 158 106 264 2640 11. Bangaram 0.58 56 9 65 112 Total 26.89 31118 29477 60595 2253 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

8. Socio-economic Profile:

8.1 Socio- economic profile of these Islands indicates 885 families below the poverty line. The literacy rate is 87.52 which is higher in males (93.15) compared to females (81.56). Similarly, literacy rate is higher in the urban population compared to the rural population. Socio-economic and demographic profile of Lakshadweep islands is given Table -2(a),(b), (c) in Annexure - A:

8.2 The islands are directly in the trade route between Africa, Arabia and Malabar.

9. Geo-morphology:

Geo-morphological features of Lakshadweep area exhibit the following observations:

55 9.1 The Lakshadweep Ridge approximately 800 km long and 170 km wide is a fascinating and conspicuous feature of Arabian Sea. It is inclined southerly (1/715-gradient) with a narrow strip (10 km) near Goa and widened to 170 Km west of Cape Comorin,. This domain is distinct with scores of islands, banks, shoals, topographic rises, and mounts, inter mount valleys and sea knolls.

9.2 A notable feature of the individual island of the ridge is that the relief of all the islands above MSL is uniformly low (4-5 m). However, height of the submerged banks and shoals varies considerably. Based on the structural features, trends of the individual islands, geophysical anomalies and related faults/ dislocations, Lakshadweep islands are classified into northern, central and southern blocks. All the important islands fall in the central block separated by Bassas de Pedro fracture in the north and a NNE- SSW trending valley in the south. The northern block is dominated by coral banks and southern by few islands and small banks.

9.3 The western slope of Lakshadweep Ridge is restricted to 2500-4000 m depth and foot of the slope increases from around 4000-4600 m in the south. Topographic rises of significant height (500-1300 m) are recorded in the slope domain. At many sections, the slope has a faulted contact with abyssal plain. Continental rise is present but only distinctly developed throughout the area.

56 Annexure – III

ELEMENTS OF RESPONSE MECHANISM

The best response mechanism to any disaster risk mitigation effort would have to incorporate the following elements:

A) A Disaster Management Plan that would lay the roadmap of response mechanism and mitigation efforts in times of calamities. B) A Disaster Management Authority that would immediately take over the response and mitigation efforts and guide and coordinate with field units. C) Sufficient stock of relief materials and supplies of items of basic necessities and medicines. D) In the unique conditions of Lakshadweep, the existence of a high-powered wireless/ satellite based communication system that would be operational even in times of natural calamities. E) Trained manpower that would undertake the relief and mitigation activities. F) Existence of a self sustenance and fully equipped Disaster Management Department/Cell, that would be the Nodal Agency for all relief and Rehabilitation during the time of calamities and more importantly function as a planing and capacity building organization during normal times.

Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

57 Annexure - IV

STATUS OF TELEPHONE SYSTEMS IN LAKSHADWEEP

1. Agatti: This Exchange was expanded during March 2000. The capacity of the Exchange is 1000 lines with 818 telephones. The exchange is connected to TAX Ernakulam by a Satellite system of 30 circuits Digital (IDR) and to Kavaratti by a 60 channel UHF system. The exchange is the latest version of C-Dot with all modern facilities. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in-charge of this system.

2. Amini: The capacity of the exchange is 1000 lines with 831 telephone connections. This station is connected to Kavaratti by a 60 channel UHF system and to Kadmat by another 60 channel UHF system. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in-charge of the system.

3. Andrott: This exchange is of 1400-line capacity with 1364 telephone connections. This exchange has all the modern facilities. This station has a Satellite system with 60 circuits and this system is Digital (IDR) which is very reliable. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in-charge of the system.

4. Bitra: This is a small C-DOT exchange with a capacity of 184 lines and 38 working connections. This station is connected to Chetlat by a 12 channel UHF system. A Telecom Mechanic is in-charge of the system.

5. Chetlat: This exchange has a capacity of 368 lines with 352 working connections. This station is connected to Kiltan by a 30 channel UHF station. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in- charge of this system. This was proposed to be expanded to 1000 lines during 2003-04.

6. Kadmat: This exchange has a capacity of 1000 lines and there are 785 telephone connections. This station is connected to Amini by a 60 channel UHF and Kiltan by a 30 channel UHF. This station is under the control of a Sub Divisional Engineer.

7. Kalpeni: This exchange has a capacity of 1000 lines with 788 working connections. This station is connected to TAX Ernakulam by a satellite system of 30 circuits. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in-charge of this system.

8. Kavaratti: The exchange is latest version of C-DOT MBM with all modern facilities. The capacity of the exchange is 2000 lines with 1674 telephones. The station is connected to Ernakulam TAX by IDR & DCME system having 210 circuits including Internet. This system is very reliable. A C-III node for Internet working is installed. A Sub Divisional Engineer in in-charge of this system. GSM Mobile communication is also commissioned during March 2003.

9. Kiltan: This exchange has a capacity of 1000 lines with 606 telephones. This station is connected to Ernakulam TAX by a satellite system having 60 circuits. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in-charge of the system.

10. Minicoy: The exchange is of 1400 lines capacity with all modern facilities. There are 1368 telephones working. This station is connected to Ernakulam TAX by a satellite FDM-FM and IDR system having 60 circuits. This system is very reliable. A Sub Divisional Engineer is in charge of this system.

Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

58 Annexure - V

LIST OF FLOATING CRAFTS/TOOLS AND PLANTS VEHICLES AVAILABLE WITH LAKSHADWEEP HARBOUR WORKS AT VARIOUS ISLANDS IN LAKSHADWEEP

S.No Island Name of Craft/T&P/Vehicle Nos Address of Phone No. . OIC 1. Andrott Dumb Barge 50 T. capacity Boat 2 M.L. Shama 1 Coles Crane 12 T Capacity 2 Asst. 4893- TATA Crane TFC 280 1 Engineer 2333178 ® TATA Crane 320 1 L.H.W. Ashok Leyland Truck 2 Andrott Mahindra Jeep 1 Maruthy Gypsy 1 Fork Lift 3 T Capacity 1 Power Tiller 1 2 Agatti Hopper Barge 1 Boat M.L. Raghu 1 Grab Dredger 1 Asst. 4894- Mahindra Jeep 1 Engineer 242225 Power Tiller 1 L.H.W. Fork Lift 3 T Cap 1 Agatti Jetty Crane Electrical 1 3. Amini Grab Dredger GoI 1 Boart M.L. Rajani 1 Exe.Enginee 4891- Mahindra Jeep 1 r 273340 Fork Lift 3 T.Cap 1 L.H.W. Jetty crane (electrical) 1 Amini 4. Chetlat Boat M.L. Dileep 1 Dump Barge 1 Hopper Barge 1 Asst.Engine 04899- Fork Lift 3 Ton Cap 1 er 276274 Power Tiller 1 L.H.W. Chetlat 5 Kadmat Boat M.L. Kadmat 1 Boat M.L Pradeep 1 Dump Barge 80 T. Cap 1 Grab Dredger GD Pushkar 1 Asst. 04897 Hopper Barge HB Aravind 1 Engineer 274248 (O) Hopper Barge HB I 1 L.H.W. 274284 ® Hopper Barge HB II 1 Kadmat Motor Tug M.T. Rajendra 1 Fork Lift 3 T Cap 1 Power Tiller 1

6. Kalpeni Dumb Barge 50T DB Surender 1 Dumb Barge 50T Bijoy 1 Dumb Barge 50T DB II 1 Boat M.L. Shama 1 Steel Tug 1 Asst.Engine 04895- Floating Crane KEL 1 er 252383 Floating Crane TIL 1 L.H.W. 252384 ® Hind Crane (Mobile) 1 Kalpeni

59 Mahindra Jeep 1 Fork Lift 3T Cap. 1 Power Tiller 1 Ashok Leyland Truck 1 TIL Mobile Crane 1 Tracter with Trailer 1 7. Kavaratti Grab Dredger GD-1 1 Hopper Barge HB-1 1 Dumb Barge 50T Cap. 1 Boat M.L. Sadhana 1 Survey Launch M.L. Parli 1 Asst.Engine 262092 (o) Motor Tug M.T. Sanjay 1 er 262257 (o) Motor Tug M.T. Nagendra 1 L.H.W. 263609(R ) Motor Tug M.T. Ravi 1 Kavaratti Coles Crane TIL 1 Fork Lift 3T Cap 1 Power Tiler 1 Jetty Crane 3 T (Electrical) 1 Maruthi Omini 1 Mahindra Jeep 1 Amada Jeep 1 8. Kiltan Boat M.L. Mahalakshmi 1 OIC LHW 03898 Power Tiler 1 Kiltan 272107 Fork Lift 2.T Cap 1 9. Minicoy Motor tug M.T. Indira 1 Boat M.L. Geetha 1 Asst.Engine Dumb Barge-Pramod 50 T 1 er Mobile Crane 1 L.H.W. Power Tiller 1 Minicoy Jetty Crane 3 T.cap 1 Mahindra Jeep 1 Dumb Barge 50 T fitted with a frame 1 4 Winch Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

60 Annexure - VI

DETAILS OF THE CRAFTS/BOATS UNDER VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

Port Department

S.No. Name of Craft/Boat Type Station Status I. Kavaratti 1. Amer Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 2. Akber Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 3. Adithya Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 4. Hassan Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 5 Kareem Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 6 Kamini Passenger Boat 30 footer Kavaratti In service 7 Muthu Wooden Tug 30 footer Kavaratti In service 8. M.T. Shaik Wooden Tug 14 Mtr Kavaratti In service 9. M.T. Umerfarooque -do- 14 Mtr Kavaratti In service 10 M.T. Viringli S/ Tug 12 Mtr Kavaratti In service 11 M.L. Seaking W/ launch 38 footer Kavaratti In service 12 Sahana Wooden barrage 25 footer Kavaratti In service 13 Pookunhi Wooden craft 20 Mtr Kavaratti In service Inter island Ferries 14 M.V. Hameedathbi -Passenger boat Kattamaram Kavaratti No repair at Alluminium Kochi hull Capacity 100 15 M.V. Kadeejabivi - Passenger boat -do- -do- In service Oil Barge 16 M.B. Suhali – S/Barge 16 MT Kavaratti In service 60 capacity Dump Barge 17 Dump Barge 50T Kavaratti In service 18 Dump Barge 75T Kavaratti In service II. 19 Rahmath – P/Boat 30 footer Agatti In service 20 Aman – P/Boat 30 footer Agatti In service 21 M.T. Althaf – W/Tug 14 Mtr Agatti In service 22 M.B. Yogesh – S/Mech. Barge 75 MT Agatti In service Dump Barge 23 Dump Barge 50 T 2 Nos 50 T Agatti In service III Minicoy 24 Alnoor – Mooring/Boat 30 footer Minicoy Now in repair 25 Karan – Passenger/Boat 30 footer Minicoy -do- 26 M.T. Azad –Wooden Tug 14 Mtr Minicoy In service 27 M.B. Meera – M/B arge 75 MT Minicoy Now in repair Dump Barge 28 Dump Barge – Steel barge 25 MT Minicoy In service 29 Dump Barge – Steel barge 75 MT Minicoy In service IV Amini 30 Belabeeram – P/Boat 30 footer Amini In service 31 Chendralaka P/Boat 30 footer Amini In service

61 32 Raman – P/Boat 30 footer Amini In service Dump Barge 33 Dump Barge 25 MT Amini In service V. Kadmat 34 Omenpoo 30 footer Amini In service 35 Sanjan 30 footer Kadmat In service 36 M.T. Barkath 14 Mtr Kadmat In service Dump Barge 37 Dump Barge – steel barge 50 T Kadmat In service 38 Dump Barge – steel barge 25 T Kadmat In service VI Kalpeni 39 Capten Bose – P/Boat 30 footer Kalpeni In service 40 Uma – P/Boat 30 footer Kalpeni In service 41 M.T. – Petal 30 footer Kalpeni In service Dump Barge 42 Dump Barge – steel barge (2 Nos.) 50 T Kalpeni In service 43 Jayandra – P/Boat 30 footer Andrott In service 44 Amina – P/Boat 30 footer Andrott In service 45 M.T. Sushand – W/Tug 14 Mtr Andhroth In service Dump Barge 46 Dump Barge 50 MT Andrott In service 47 Dump Barge 25 MT Andrott In service VIII Kiltan 48 Rahim 30 footer Kiltan In service 49 Laqueen 30 footer Kiltan In service Dump Barge 50 Dump Barge 25MT Kiltan In service (2Nos) IX Chetlat 51 Dweepmala – P/Boat 30 footer Chetlat In service 52 M.T. Ammu – W/Tug 14 Mtr Chetlat In service Dump Barge 53 Dump Barge 25MT Chetlat In service (1Nos)

62

X PAX SHIPS (Kochi based) 54 M.V.Bharathseema - P/Ship-150 P/Capacity Kochi In Service 55 M.V. Tippu Sultan - P/Ship-658 P/Capacity Kochi In service 56 M.V. Dweepsetu - P/Ship-150 P/Capacity Kochi In service 57 M.V. Minicoy – P/Ship 150 P/Capacity Kochi In service 58 M.V. Amindivi - P/Ship150 P/Capacity Kochi In service XI CARGO BARGES (Kochi based) 59 M.B. Ubaidulla Cargo Capacity 670 Kochi In service 60 M.B. Thinakara Cargo Capacity 670 Kochi In service 61 M.B. Laccadives -do- Kochi In service 62 M.B. Cheriyam -do- Kochi In service Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

Tourism Department

Sl.No. Name of Craft/Boat Type Make Status 1. Gouri 30 footer Greaves 3 YD 2. Tripathi 30 footer Greaves 3 YD 3 Mrinalini 30 footer Greaves 3 YD 4. Rakesh 30 footer Greaves 3 YD 5 30 footer Greaves 3 YD Defective 6 30 footer Greaves 3 YD Leased SPORTS Kadmat 7 30 footer Greaves 3 YD Leased to SPORTS Kadmat 8. 30 footer Greaves 3 YD Leased to SPORTS Minicoy Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

Agriculture Department

Sl.No. Name of Craft/Boat Type Make 1. Chengha 30 footer Kirloskar 3 cyl. 2. Karingha 30 footer Kirloskar 3 cyl. Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

Department of S&T

Sl.No. Type Number Status 1 30 footer 2 Working 2 25 footer 2 Working 3. Outboard Fibre glass boat 2 Working Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration Department of Environment & Forests

Sl.No. Type Number Status 1 30 footer 2 Working 2 25 footer 1 Working 3. Outboard Fibre glass boat 1 Working Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

64 Annexure – VII

ISLAND –WISE AVAILABILITY OF MECHANISED FISHING BOATS AS ON 2003

Sl.No. Island No. of boats 1. Agatti 130 2. Amini 43 3. Andrott 36 4. Bitra 9 5. Chetat 34 6. Kadmat 26 7. Kalpeni 33 8. Kavaratti 89 9. Kiltan 60 10. Minicoy 49 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

65 Annexure - VIII

DETAILS OF THREE WHEELERS AND FOUR WHEELERS REGISTERED IN LAKSHADWEEP AS ON 31.12.2003

ISLAND Car Jeep Van Auto Mini Tempo Delivery Tractor Tiller Total Rikshaw Bus Auto Kavaratti 14 69 26 62 4 7 32 11 92 316 Andrott 1 1 4 63 --- 5 2 4 79 159 Minicoy 1 8 7 3 1 7 175 5 58 265 Amini 1 2 2 19 --- 2 2 3 45 76 Kadamatt 1 4 2 22 1 4 4 4 55 97 Kiltan --- 1 1 10 ------3 1 32 48 Chetlat 1 --- 1 3 ------1 1 23 30 Agatti 2 5 3 34 --- 5 3 14 52 118 Kalpeni 1 1 2 7 1 --- 14 4 41 71 Total 22 90 48 223 7 30 236 47 477 1180 Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

66 Annexure - IX

BUILDINGS IDENTIFIED AS CYCLONE SHELTERS ON VARIOUS ISLANDS OF LAKSHADWEEP

Agatti Kadmat 1. Govt. High School 1. Junior Basic School (South) 2. Govt. Nursery School 2. Junior Basic School (North) 3. Govt. High School 3. Govt. High School 4. J.B. School (South) 4. Barkat Bhawan 5. J.B. School (North) 6. S.B. School (New Building) 7. Agriculture Office

Amini Kalpeni 1. Govt. S.B. School 1. Junior Basic School (North) 2. Govt. J.B. School 2. J.B. School (South) 3. Govt. High School 3. Senior Basic School 4. Nursery School 5. Govt. High School

Andrott Kavaratti 1. Govt. High School 1. J.B. School (North) 2. M.G.S.S. School 2. J.B. School (East) 3. S.B. School (Girls) 3. Govt. Nursery School 4. J.B. School ( Keetchery) 4. S.B. School (New Buildings) 5. Govt. Nursery School 5. Govt. Senior Secondary School 6. Tharkiyathul (South Branch)

Bitra 1. J.B School Kiltan 1. Govt. High School 2. Junior Basic School ( South) 3. Rahamathul Islam Madrassa 4. Noorul Islam Madrassa 5. Hidayathul Islam Madrassa 6. Tharkiyathul Islam Madrassa

Chetlat Minicoy 1. Government High Schhol 1. Govt. High Schhol 2. Nursery Schhol 3. Rangamanch Auditorium 4. Govt. Senior Basic School 5. Govt. Junior Basic School 6. Funhilul Madrassa 7. Nursery School

Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

67 Annexure - X

NORMAL MONTHLY AND ANNUAL RAINFALL ON SOME ISLANDS OF LAKSHADWEEP

Name of Normal Monthly and Annual Rainfall (in mm) Maximum Rainfall recorded during the the cyclone (cm) Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual 5-5-2004* 6-5-2004* 7-5-2004* Rainfall Amini 3.0 6.5 0.9 22.3 175.0 366.0 325.2 201.8 151.8 139.2 108.1 37.0 1565.5 43.0 117.0 24.0 Divi (43311) Agatti 9.4 4.1 0.3 23.1 112.2 307.3 252.4 221.5 143.1 101.5 114.5 44.0 1333.4 10.0 17.0 X (43266) Minicoy 27.4 25.4 19.8 72.5 212.8 261.3 250.9 202.4 181.9 183.1 133.0 94.8 1674.9 X X X (42369) Source: Framework of Disaster Management Plan in Lakshadweep, 2004 prepared by Lakshadweep Administration

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