GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU Water Resources Organisation Public Works Department RISK ASSESSMENT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GROYNES AT PERIYATHALAI IN TIRUCHENDUR TALUK OF THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT Flat No: 2C, IInd floor, Jai Durga Apartment, 38/2, First Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083. Tel.: 24710477 / Tel Fax: 044-24714424 E-mail: [email protected] JULY 2014 Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District 1.0 INTRODUCTION Groins are considered to be one of the best methods to protect eroding coastline. The coast along the state of Tamil Nadu is very dynamic due to various developmental activities along the coast. This causes sea erosion and hence loss of land to the seas. Periyathalai, with geographical coordinates 8°20′11.043″ N and 77°58′43.134″ E is located in Tiruchendur Taluk of Thoothukudi District in Southern Tamilnadu. This area is a sandy beach prone to littoral drift and sever erosion. The boats are anchored at the sea thus leaving them to the impacts of the open seas. In order to protect the coast and provide a safe landing for the boats, Public Works Department of Government of Tamil Nadu is proposing to construct the Groyne at coastal stretch in Periyathalai. 2.0 DISTRICT PROFILE Geographical Locations of the District and Project site Thoothukudi District lies between latitude 8o 45’ Northern and longitude 78o 11’ Eastern with an area of about 4635 Sq.km. The district is bounded on west by Tirunelveli District, on the north by Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram district, on south by Bay of Bengal and on the east by Bay of Bengal. It is situated 640 kms southeast of the state Head Quarters, Chennai. District Administrations The District is divided into 3 revenue divisions, 8 administrative Taluk and 480 Revenue villages. Rivers, Rainfall and Climate The main river Thamiraparani flowing in the District from west to eastern directions is a perennial river. This District depends upon both monsoons for its rain. In the coastal region, during the North East monsoon is heavy and in the 1 WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District interior region, it is lighter. This District has the typical climate with high humidity and relatively to moderate temperature through the year. The rainfall occurs mostly in the months of October, November and December. During the period from October to January, the climate remains relatively cooler. From February, the early summer sets in and in the month of April, May, June, July and are August are hot months. Industries, Ports and Transport Industries The major private industries in the district are as follows: SPIC at Thoothukudi TAC at Thoothukudi Sterlite at Thoothukudi Dharangadhare chemical works in Authoor Bharat Power Plant, Ottapidaram Coastal emergent limited, Ottapidaram Ports VOC Port a major port, which was started on 1st April 1980 is the only port in the District. Currently cement and fertilizer are being exported and fuel, chemicals and oils etc are being imported. Transport The District is adequately served by all well laid networks of roads and railways. All the taluks are connected with state high ways. There is one Airport in this District at Vagaikulam of Thoothukudi taluk (15 km away from Thoothukudi). 2 WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District PAST EXPERIENCE OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE DISTRICT Tsunami Thoothukudi district is one among the 13 coastal districts, which was struck by the Tsunami on 26.12.2004. As many as 23 coastal villages were affected in this district due to unprecedented devastation. The Tsunami affected villages comprised in six taluks are located along the 120 km stretch of the south east coast of Tamilnadu. The particulars of villages affected are as follows: Vilathikulam Taluk –Vembar,Periyasamypuram,Keelavaippar.Sippikulam Ottapidaram Taluk- Pattanemandur,Thiruvaikulam,Vellapatti Thoothukudi Taluk- Siluvaipatti, Loorthamalpuram, Thoothukudi North, Thoothukudi South Srivaikudam Taluk- Paleyakayal, Ratchayapuram ThiruchendurTaluk- Punnakayal, Kombuthurai, Singithurai, Veerapandiyapattinam, Jeevanagar, Amalinagar, Alanthalai, Kulasekarapattinam, Manapad. Sattankulam Taluk- Periathalai Majority of the people are fishermen living in these villages and depend upon fishing only for their livelihood. Rescue operations Emergency Rescue teams comprising staff of Revenue, Development, Public health, Fire service and Police Department were formed and pressed into rescue operations. The Rescue teams evacuated 3029 families from low lying areas where the sea water engulfed the habitations. 3 WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District Medical camps Medical assistance to the inmates of 23 relief camps was provided by the Public Health Department.13 medical teams consisting of doctors, Paramedical workers, Block Health Inspectors were formed and medical care rendered to the affected people staying in the relief camps. All the people were immunised against contagious diseases and treated for all ailments. Recent Rain and Monsoon damages During March 2008, unprecedented rains lasted in the district. During this rain 367 villages were affected and 15 villages got marooned. 3489 people were evacuated and were accommodated in relief centres. During North East monsoon 2008, there was widespread rain. There was heavy flood/ cyclone damage. Due to heavy rains 481 houses were partly damaged and 190 houses fully damaged. During North East monsoon 2009, there was widespread rain followed by heavy flood. 407 houses were damaged due to this. During North East monsoon 2010, roads, irrigation sources were damaged. During 2011 also North east monsoon rains, roads, irrigation sources and crops were damaged. 3.0 HAZARD ANALYSIS The following are five major classification of disaster: Water and Climate related disaster Geologically related disaster Chemical, industrial and nuclear disaster Accident related disaster Biological related disaster 4 WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District Water and Climate related disaster: Cyclone This district has a coast line of about 110km and hence is highly prone to cyclone, which are the part of North East Monsoon Season. The Classification of Tropical disturbance over the Indian seas are given below: Maximum sustained winds System classification in knots in kmph Low Pressure area Less than 17 Less than 31 Depression 17-27 31-49 Deep Depression 28-33 50-61 Cyclonic Storm 34-47 62-88 Severe Cyclonic storm 48-63 89-118 Very severe cyclonic storm 64-119 119-221 Super cyclone 120 and above 222 and alone Storm Surge It is the term used to denote the rapid rise in the sea level associated with a cyclone. It occurs along the sea coast to the right of the tract of the cyclone, a few hours before the cyclone strikes the coast. A sea level rise of 2 to 3 meters is common, but with very severe cyclones, the rise can be 5 metre or more. The rise in sea inundates the low lying land areas of the coast drowning humans and livestock, eroding beaches and embankments, destroying vegetation. Increasing salinity, reducing soil fertility and causing contamination of drinking water. Storm Surge depends on the following factors: Intensity of the system Bathymetry (Bottom topography) of the sea coast Coastal configuration The angle at which the cyclone hits the coast Vulnerability to storm surge is not uniform along the Indian coast. The following segments of the East Coast are most vulnerable to high surge. North Orissa and West Bengal coast. Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipattinam TamilNadu coast south of Nagapattinam 5 WAPCOS Centre for Environment Public Works Department EIA Studies for Construction of Groyne at Periyathalai, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District Gales Very strong winds may cause damage to installations and structures, dwelling communication system and trees resulting in loss of life and property. In the case of fully developed tropical cyclone wind system in the Horizontal plane near the sea surface consists of 4 zones. A calm central area, often circular varying between 10 to 30 km in diameter, where the winds are very light, skies, mostly clear or lightly clouded, no rain and the temperature significantly warmer than in the clouded zone outside this area. This area is called the eye of the storm. An inner ring of hurricane force winds (speed 90kmph or more and 50 – 150 km on width) and torrential rain. An outer storm area in which winds are less strong (20-30kmph). There is an asymmetry of rainfall pattern, clouds, winds etc. about the centre of the cyclone over this zone. Rainfall is also not continuous. The outer most area weak circulation characterised by partially cloudy weather and light rain. Chemical, industrial and Nuclear disaster There are three major chemical industries viz Southern petro chemical industries in Thoothukudi Taluk Dharangahare chemical limited in Tiruchendur taluk and Sterlite copper industry in Thoothukudi Taluk. Since this area is liable for this disaster, action has been taken by the district authorities and disaster management plan has