Rise! Let's Raise

GOD’S OWN COPS SCRIPTING A YOUNG HISTORY

` 12/- 2018 SEPTEMBER 01

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RISE! LET’S RAISE 1

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kerala calling SEPTEMBERMARCH 2018 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling editorial

AUGUST WILL NOT BE THE CRUELLEST MONTH ANY LONGER

nd, quiet flow the rivers again. The fury is over. There is no sign of rage in their looks. In fact, they are drying up fast. The sky is deep and blue. All were just like a terrible dream. Yes, the nightmare is over but unfortunately it has left indelible and devastating scars on our State. AThe flood and landslides that wreaked havoc across Kerala is one of the biggest disasters in the history of the State. We have vague memories of the Great Flood in 1924. Many lives were either washed away in the flood or buried in the landslides. Many were injured and the belongings of a lifetime were ruthlessly taken away by the furious waters. Houses have become uninhabitable and many were shifted to relief camps. Actually we were at sea at first! 3 Soon we awakened to reality. The whole machinery of the Government and the people joined hand in glove for the rescue measures. The Central government paid heed to our pleas and sent central forces. The State Police, Fire and Rescue, the Army, the Navy, The Air force, NDRF etc. sprang into action in a war footing measure. Our fisher folk, our own army, who ventured into places where no one dared to go, deserve special mention. Without their brave intervention, many valuable lives would have been lost. The relief measures are still going on in full swing. The menace of contagious diseases is there but the Health department has kept them in vigil. The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund has crossed the mark of 1000 Cr. Help is still flowing in from many quarters both in and out of the country. “April is the cruellest month” wrote T.S Eliot considering the lost hopes of the European youth after World War 1. For us, if we are united in rebuilding our State, this August will not be” the cruellest” any longer. We are in the rebuilding phase. We cannot go back to the past. Future is not bleak but bright. We can build a new Kerala. Because, we withstood the deluge in spirit united! And, every drop counts.

T.V.Subhash Editor in Chief

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 Volume 38 Number 11

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF T V Subhash IAS EDITOR K S Sailendran ASSISTANT EDITOR C Rajesh ASSISTANT INFORMATION OFFICER Anchitha A CIRCULATION Sunil Hassan DESIGN & LAYOUT AnilRaj [email protected] PRINTING Orange Printers Pvt Ltd.,Thiruvananthapuram

Cover Photo: C. Suresh Kumar

inSide 4

TOGETHER DEFENDING 06 WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA 18 LIVES Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister Dhanya Sanal K Spokesperson, Defence Ministry RING OUT THE OLD, 10 RING IN THE NEW THE FLOOD Dr.V.K.Ramachandran Vice Chairman, 24 FACTS AND FACTORS Kerala State Planning Board Dr.Manoj M.G Research Scientist, Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, GOD’S Cochin University of Science and Technology 12 OWN COPS CAUSES OF THE WORST 30 RAINFALL FIRE AND Ajith Lawrence Associated Press Correspondent, Specialisation- Science,Environment,Disaster Migration 16 RESCUE and Sociology

Responses may be sent to mail: EDITORIAL MATERIALS [email protected] Articles/features appearing in this magazine are either commisioned or assigned. Neverthless, other articles are also welcome. A maximum of 750 wordage is appreciated. Suchkerala items calling should SEPTEMBERbe addressed 2018 to www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling The Editor, Kerala Calling, First Floor, Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram Pin 695001 expressed in the articles published in Kerala Calling are not, necessarily, those of the government. Kerala Calling welcomes free VIEWS expression of divergent views and exchange of ideas through its pages.

SCRIPTING Nick Ut 36 A YOUNG HISTORY 46 Stands by Kerala Yamini Nair Senior Assistant Editor, Hindustan Times

CLIMATE CHANGE THE SALT OF CAUSED THE HUMAN KINDNESS FLOODS : 40 Ignatius Pereira 47 Antonio Guterres

FLOOD 1924 HISTORIC 44 Muralee Thummarukudy ACHIEVEMENTS Operations Manager, Post-conflict and Disaster 49 Sanil P Thomas Management Branch Accredited reporter for Jakarta United Nations Environment Programme Asian Games

ENQUIRIES TO SUBSCRIBE The subscription amount will also be received at the State Information Centre, Press Club Building, Editorial : 0471 251 8648 Send Rs. 120 as money order to Thiruvananthapuram. Phone: 0471 251 8471 and Subscription : 0471 251 7036 The Director, Information & Public Relations Department at all District Information Offices First floor, Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram 695001 Total number of pages: 48 + Cover [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister

The major task of Rebuilding Kerala will be to ensure financial support and raw materials. What kind of rebuilding that we aim at too should be discussed.

TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling fter rescue efforts, we are in the rehabilitation phase and what awaits us is the Rebuilding phase. The major task of Rebuilding Kerala will be to ensure financial Asupport and raw materials. What kind of rebuilding that we aim at too should be discussed. We have to take into account environmental issues also while carrying out rebuilding. Ensuring livelihood for the flood-hit in order to bring back normalcy in their lives is also a challenge. Rehabilitation in the disaster-prone areas is a major concern and a decision would be arrived at on these issues after detailed discussion. The deluge resulted in the damage of the State’s infrastructure. This was actually a bolt from the blue when the Government is on the path of fast development. We had been in a fix in the beginning but we were back on heels soon. We have a twin strategy-while the State must completely recover from the damage, we must adopt policies at the same time that will take it ahead in terms of development. Much help is flowing in from within and outside the country. This has boosted our confidence and energy to move forward. The deluge has its impact on many sectors including education, health, business and tourism. The greatest concern is that of the environmental damage. So, ecological issued should be addressed while rebuilding Kerala. The slogan we have put forward is not just ‘rehabilitation and reconstruction’, but ‘build a new Kerala’. We will build a better Kerala. There is a feeling among the public that each and everyone should shoulder the responsibility of Rebuilding Kerala. People across the world have contributed to alleviate the misery of the flood-ravaged. The overwhelming support from people in the process of Rebuilding Kerala has instilled confidence in us. There was huge support for 7 the suggestion to contribute one month salary to the mission of Rebuilding Kerala. Malayalis across the world as well as most of the service organisations came in support of this initiative. The Government is also initiating steps to facilitate acceptance of assistance from various parts of the world. The World Bank that visited Kerala and had discussions with Chief Secretary. We are also planning to bank on the Loka Kerala Sabha, which has been formed to ensure participation of non-resident Keralites in developmental activities, to bring in more assistance from across the world. Fund will be raised from various sources. The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund has already crossed Rs1,000 Crore. There’s an understanding among the Keralites that they all should contribute to help the State recover from this disaster. The response we received for the suggestion that salaried people could give a month’s salary in installments was encouraging. The opposition parties welcomed the suggestion. Many individuals and organizations have already started making contributions. The Central Government should also play a major role in helping the State. In addition to these, there are several international agencies that can come with assistance in such circumstances. With the help of all these people, Government and agencies, we hope we can raise funds to rebuild Kerala better. The steps to make flood-hit houses habitable are on. Restoration of transportation, electricity and water connectivity in the flood-hit areas too is progressing. Flood hit areas face a menace of contagious diseases and health department is taking all necessary precautions to prevent it. The Government has taken steps to issue lost text

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books and documents too to the students in flood-hit areas. SETBACK TO ECONOMY The unprecedented flood also threw Kerala’s economy haywire. The damage to houses and infrastructure poses threat to the whole development process of the State. The flood has ruined our many hectares of agriculture land and damaged industrial and business sectors. The death of cattle too adversely affected many, resulting in the loss of livelihood. CENTER’S AID Aid from the Centre comes in phases, not in one disbursal. The advance amount we received from the Centre was of much help. The total 600 Cr advance we received shows the supportive nature of the Centre towards our state. The Centre also responded well by sending the central forces during the rescue measures. We expect the Government to take the same approach while announcing the final aid, after complete assessment of the losses. We got amazing responses from the World Bank. We hope the Centre will allow the State to raise its borrowing limit. RESCUE OPERATIONS Rescue operations involving the Central forces, officials, fishermen, volunteers and laymen, were praiseworthy. The Government in no time sought the help of Central forces and all these efforts helped bring down the number of the deceased. A sub-committee was also formed comprising ministers E P Jayarajan, E Chandrasekharan, Mathew T Thomas, A K Saseendran and Ramachandran Kadannappally to ensure fast action. These kinds of timely interventions and decisions helped speed up the rescue and relief measures. A total of 7,443 personnel were deployed from Central forces, 40,000 police and 3,200 fire and 8 rescue force personnel spearheaded the rescue operations which were supported by other officials. DAM MANAGEMENT Allegations against dam management are groundless. We experienced unexpected torrential rains that made tha water in the reservoirs rose to dangerous level. Further, we were not alerted about such heavy downpour in August. There were flash floods. The shutters were raised after proper alerts and precautionary measures. Though the State Government began taking necessary steps from May 16, anticipating heavy rain, what it witnessed was beyond the anticipated. Kerala was expected to receive 98.5 mm rainfall from August 9 to 15. Instead, it received 352.2 mm of rainfall, which is thrice more than that predicted by India Meteorological Department.There are no dams in Achankovil, Manimala, and Chaliyar rivers. Water in Achankovil flooded Pandalam, Manimala flooded Thiruvalla, and Chaliyar flooded Nilambur Specific norms are there in opening dams. We are strictly adhered to them. Our understanding is that both the Central government and the Central Water Commission are of the same view about this. SETTING A NEW PARAGON Our State set an example to the whole world on how to deal with natural disasters. We managed to do it as the people of Kerala stood together, setting aside all differences. The administrative machinery worked in unison. And we got timely help from a host of people, from Central forces to the fisher folk of the State. These, helped Kerala lessen the intensity of the calamity.

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling The slogan we have put forward is not just ‘rehabilitation and reconstruction’, but ‘build a new Kerala’. We will build a 9 better Kerala.

After rescue and rehabilitation phases, we are heading necessary precautions to prevent it. The Government towards the rebuilding phase. Measures to make flood hit has taken steps to issue lost text books to the students houses habitable are on. Restoration of transportation, in the flood-hit areas. Lost documents will be issued electricity and water in the flood-hit areas is progressing conducting adalats in the flood-hit areas. More than 20 in a faster mode. The menace of contagious diseases high level review meetings were held during the crisis poses threat but the Health department is taking all

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Dr.V.K.Ramachandran Vice Chairman, Kerala State Planning Board

The loss of lives, livelihoods, and houses, and the damage to infrastructure is unprecedented and the exact estimates are still being assessed. The damage to infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, is huge. RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW

lobal warming and climate change have led to exact estimates are still being assessed. The damage an increase in the frequency and intensity of to infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, is extreme events all over the world. The heavy huge. On August 29, the Public Works Department downpour in Kerala in August 2018 that estimated that 15,050 km of roads and 607 bridges caused massive floods and destruction is have been damaged, and that Rs 7,271 crore are Gan illustration of such an event. During the southwest required to undertake repair works of the damaged monsoon, from June 1 to August 19, 2018, Kerala roads and bridges.02 Tens of thousands of homes have received 2346.6 mm of rainfall against a normal of completely been destroyed, and a much larger number 1649.5 mm, which is an excess of 42 per cent.The damaged. On August 26, the Department of Agriculture excess rainfall between August 1 and August 19, 2018 Development and Farmers’ Welfare estimated that was 164 per cent. During the week ending August floods affected more than 300,000 farmers and 15, 2018 Idukki received 438 per cent more than the 57,000 hectares of land under cultivation, and that the normal rainfall.In the same week, the following districts estimated loss to farming was Rs 1,361 crore.03 also received significantly higher rainfall than the nor- The State of Kerala – its government and people -- 10 mal:Malappuram (405 per cent), Palakkad (322 per demonstrated exceptional capability in undertaking cent), Wayanad (299 per cent), Pathanamthitta (217 immediate rescue and relief work during the crisis. per cent) and Alappuzha (195 per cent).01The scale Kerala has, once again, led by example, that is, of disaster caused by the heavy rainfall was not only of widespread and selfless public action by the enormous but also widespread, covering parts or most Government and citizens. The speedy, meticulous, and of12 of the 14 districts of Kerala. people-oriented handling of the crisis by the State has The loss of lives, livelihoods, and houses, and the won admiration from all over the State – and from other damage to infrastructure is unprecedented and the

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling parts of India and the world. taken to raise resources. These steps include seeking more funds from Centre, fund collection campaigns The immediate task of rescue is over and the in the districts, and support from Malayalees in task of relief and repair is continuing throughout different parts of the world. the State. Some of the issues that need to be addressed immediately are prevention of diseases, The task of rebuilding Kerala will be driven by its waste management, restoring road connectivity, Government and people, and must be characterised rebuilding livelihoods, and providing homes. Kerala byquick decision-making,effective implementation will then move on to the stage of medium-term and and timely completion of projects. long-term rehabilitation and ultimately to building a The State has exhibited exemplary leadership and new Kerala. The Government has taken this crisis as a management skills, just as the people have come challenge and as an opportunity to rebuild the State together for a historic effort of civic cooperation in to ensure better standards of living for all sections the aftermath of the floods. The task of rebuilding of society. Higher standards of infrastructure will be Kerala, too, will be an exemplar and model. incorporated into rebuilding. Ecological safeguards and standards will be built into the new structures that will be constructed to withstand such floods better in the future. In summary, the Government has laid out a vision for a more climate-resilient and progressive State. The effort to build a new State requires finance on a huge scale. The magnitude of our requirements is still being estimated. All departments will undertake comprehensive damage evaluation. The priorities in each sector need to be identified and new plans made that focus on rebuilding the State. Preliminary estimates indicate that more than Rs 25,000 crore will be required for this daunting task.The funds for the task of rebuilding Kerala have to be found from various sources. There has been a 11 tremendous support extended to the State from different corners of the world. The Government has taken certain measures to raise funds.The excise duty on liquor has been increased from 0.5 to 3.5 per cent for 100 days. A Nava Kerala lottery has been introduced.In addition, various other steps are being

1. Indian Meteorological Department 2. Flood damages as on August 29, 2018 assessed by the Public Works Department 3. Preliminary report on damages due to floods as on August 26, 2018 assessed by the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare

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12 GOD’S OWN COPS The Kerala Police displayed outstanding performance during the floods by all means through the mission “OPERATION JALARAKSHA”

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling “The courage, the grit, the determination, the commitment and the dedication shown by the Kerala Police officials, irrespective of the ranks, made me proud to be the State Police Chief of such a great Police force”

he Kerala Police conducted one of its biggest forces and defense forces, going along with them operations, in recent times, to provide rescue and and assisting them in rescuing. relief, to the flood ravaged and landslides victims of • (d) Police mobilized maximum fishermen and their Kerala. Police deployed, on an average, a total force T boats, worked along with them to rescue people. of more than 10,000 officers and men, every day w.e.f. August 8, 2018, who were involved in the whole rescue After the rescue, the Police took the rescued people to and relief operations. The highest manpower of about the relief Camps. 33,000 was deployed on August 23, 2018.This included They also took some of them to the houses of their the local police, who were the first respondents, followed friends and relatives. Some people were also taken by the by the Armed Battalion manpower which rushed to the Police to Hospitals. spots. Later, as the situation turned worse, the Coastal Police, the RRF, the Thunderbolt Commandos, the Women Another unique feature about the rescue operations Battalion personnel, Women Commandos, officials from of Police is also worth mentioning. Some of the people all special units of Police like CBCID,KEPA, SCRB etc. were after their houses are being inundated did not leave the also pressed into operations. Officers of all ranks from houses; they sat on the roof tops or on the higher floors. Police Constables to ADGP level Officers did field work. Supply of food and medicines, even by air-dropping, by using private Helicopter, reaching them with medicines, The rescue operations undertaken by the Police were giving them emotional support to stay alive, boosting unique and largely different from such operations confidence to fight for survival, etc. were done by the undertaken by the defense forces and the paramilitary Police officials. forces of Union of India. The Kerala Police had unique advantage of knowing the topography and knowing the Rescue of Foreigners:-A host of Foreigners were people. At the same time, it had the disadvantage of not stranded in the floods in various tourist locations of the having that expertise in rescue operations nor having State (like Munnar, Thrissur, Shornur, Ernakulam, etc.). the proper machinery and logistics. But, the indomitable Desperate calls were received from various embassies spirit in each and every Police official helped them in for the safety of these stranded foreigners. Kerala Police 13 overcoming the gaps or deficiencies and which helped also embarked on a targeted rescue of these stranded save the lives of lakhs of people. foreigners in various Hotels and resorts of the State and Nationals from Italy, US, UK, Russia, Spain, Turkey and The Police conducted the rescue operations in the Australia among others were secured and transported following manner:- to safer locations. A British couple was evacuated from (a) One or two Police official(s) going for individual search Munnar; A French mother with her children were saved and rescue operation, in which the Police official saved a and taken to Kozhikode. few persons. Such instances are in thousands. While the number of deaths was large and unfortunate, • (b) Police officials going as groups, either by vehicles the number of people rescued was a testimony of the or by boats or even by swimming and rescuing people. efficiency of the rescue operations. The role of the police in the rescue is immense as is reflected in the large • (c) Police provided assistance to the paramilitary number of rescues conducted by the police in comparison

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The role of the TOTAL POLICE PERSONNEL DEPLOYED ACROSS THE 19 POLICE police in the rescue DISTRICTS is immense as is Date Police Personnel reflected in the large deployed 08.08.2018 2,518 number of rescues 09.08.2018 2,900 conducted by the 10.08.2018 2,863 police in comparison 11.08.2018 2,982 12.08.2018 2,856 with other rescue 13.08.2018 2,897 agencies. 14.08.2018 4,051 15.08.2018 7,822 16.08.2018 10,267 17.08.2018 11,033 18.08.2018 12,511 19.08.2018 12,063 20.08.2018 11,797 21.08.2018 20,467 22.08.2018 24,777 23.08.2018 33,104 24.08.2018 30,116 25.08.2018 24,567

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling with other rescue agencies. In all of the areas police were the first to reach and help the victims, and in some locations wireless were the only communication SOOFI, THE SAVIOUR system available to understand the levels of problems and respond to the disaster. Perumbavoor faced the wrath of heavy rain that lashed the area submerging houses. Over POLICE ASSETS MOBILISATION a hundred people made distress calls from The Police have also mobilized Police vehicles, boats a locality. They could not find any policeman and tipper lorries for rescue and relief operations. coming for their rescue. No khaki was found. Between 14th and20th August 4153 man days of Only a man alone on a boat wearing only a piece boats, 3868 man days of tipper lorries and 6596 man of towel around the waist was rescuing them. He days of police vehicles were deployed for rescue and moved the boat closed to each house, swam and relief work. got the people one by one on the boat rescuing over hundred people. When everyone was moved Most of the police vehicles were deployed for rescue to the safe place, they started complaining and and relief operations. From less than 100 vehicles cursing that no police help is received and only a during the first week of August, on an average of local man in towel was rescuing them. The man 15 850 vehicles were deployed during peak rescue work in the towel told them that he is T.M.Soofi, SI of th rd between 14th and 25 august. On 23 August,2,017 Police who had come to rescue them. Hats off to vehicles were on road ferrying rescue teams and Soofi ! People affected by floods. AMBULANCE SERVICES The police also enlisted ambulance services throughout Kerala for carrying the needy. Between 8th August accessories was the single-most hurdles in search and and 27thAugust, 305 people lost their lives and 11 rescue operations. Total available Life Jackets in Kerala have gone missing. The bodies had to be retrieved and Police were only 153. In order to expand the rescue Inquest and Post Mortems were conducted on them. The operations, life jackets were borrowed from different close relatives of the killed people were informed and agencies. On 23rd August police used 1,010 Life Jackets. last rites performed. The police were also in search of missing persons. Although only 73 got injured, hundreds SWIFT ACTION AND GENUINE INFORMATION and thousands of people have to be given first aid and The setting up of a State Control Room at PHQ and emotional support. Regional Control Rooms were of much useful during the WIRELESS HELPS days of the deluge. The Police responded promptly and disseminated only genuine information. Mobile communication in most of the districts got struck and became stand still. Since electricity was Kerala Police opened special control rooms at the most not available due to incessant rains, mobile towers had affected places, where all the calls were handled and become defunct. The only communication available was information was passed on to regional units and rescue the police communication through wireless sets. Local boats for action. An Emergency State Control Room of control rooms were set up in flood affected areas and State Police Chief was opened at PHQ. The Intelligence hand sets were distributed to all the officers, most of the Control Room (SPMR) was strengthened. As per the vehicles involved in rescue and relief operations. available records, the State Control Room and the Regional Control Rooms handled more than 6 lakh calls .The shortage of life saving equipment and from abroad and messages in the days of rescue.

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA FIRE AND RESCUE The Fire and Rescue Department along with the other departments tried their level best to beat the monsoon mishaps in the state.

s the Department has got training in life rescue operations, even before the deployment of other agencies, Fire and Rescue Department started the operations to rescue the stranded people using the rubber boats, life line, life jackets, life Abuoys, outboard engine, concrete cutter, hydraulic tools, and other safety harness . Around 1500 people were rescued from Ranni on August 14 and thousands were rescued from Chengannur, Aranmula, Aluva, Chalakkudi, Mananthavady ,Kalpetta and many other places. A control room was set up by the Department to monitor and coordinate the rescue operations. 4100 personnel were participated in the rescue operations and lives of 39866 people were saved and 87571 people were shifted to safer places. A meeting was called in the presence of Regional fire officer, Ernakulam at Aluva Office as the Orange Alert was declared at the banks of river Periyar. A special operation wing was created and special officers were appointed to coordinate the activities in different regions. A decision was 16 taken to make Aluva Office as a control room to coordinate the whole activities. The army started the evacuation process as the downstream of the Periyar submerged. This was due to the opening of the shutters of Idamalayar dam up to 2 inches. The marooned people were evacuated and shifted to the nearest relief camps. At this time,on 10th June 2018 ,as the water level was increased drastically, the shutters of Idukki dam were opened. Red alert was declared in the districts of Idukki and Ernakulam . The Fire and rescue team members were very vigilant and by foreseeing the flood in this area, they evacuated many people. From August 14 onwards, heavy monsoon were received and the water level was increased intensely and as a result the shutters of the dams were opened and red alert were declared. The rivers were in spate as Idukki and Ernakulam region received heavy rainfall and the places were drenched in water. By including Kallurkad, Muvattupuzha stations in the operation wing, the control room activities became more active. The control room was flooded with the messages about the stranded people. The rescue team members faced many odd situations and overcame the challenges and worked very hard to save the life of common people. The fire and rescue team witnessed many challenging situations including attacks of reptiles, fall from the heights, heavy flow of water, difficulties in carrying the old aged and diseased people and many others.

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling 17

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Dhanya Sanal K Spokesperson, Defence Ministry

DEFENDING LIVES The advent of the Defence Forces induced a 18 new lease of life to the rescue operations

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling 19

hile the Chennai flood in Army, Air Force, Navy & INDIAN ARMY - OPERATION SAHYOG 2017 or Mumbai floods in Coast Guard, all the 4 armed forces On 9th Aug, based on the request from 2015 affected a single city, of the Ministry of Defence pushed the state government and as per the the heavy downpour drove into action for a month long HADR W direction from the Ministry of Defence red alert to the entire state. A unified operations. one column of army dispatched from control room was set up by the State This is the third HADR operation in Pangode Military Station to the flood Government at the Secretariat building the state by the defence forces in hit districts of ldukki,thus the news and the joint HADR (Humanitarian the past one year. When cyclone went out and media started reporting Assistance and Disaster Relief) Ockhi devastated the coastal Kerala about the involvement of soldiers in operation by the state and the centre and during the rescue operations for the disaster management and rescue was well coordinated from there on the Latvian medical tourist Liga was operations. a 24 x 7 basis.The State Government in progress, the state Government mobilized NDRF, BSF, Fire Force teams The entire control of the army requested the help of the forces from various parts of the country and movements were vested with the and extensive and intensive HADR deployed them in the flood affected Kerala & Karnataka (K&K) Sub Area operation were carried out for the districts of Kerala. situated in Bangalore. GOC, K&K Sub same. [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA

Area Major General Sanjeev Narain course of the rivers, submerged the soldiers across Kerala which includes gave direction to Defence Security settlements, bridges washed away 4 columns of Military Engineering Task Corps (DSC), Kannur and Pangode and ransacked roads. During the peak Force mobilized from different parts Military Station to take immediate time of the emergency situation, two of India and one Para Regiment flown action. district Pathanamthitta and Thrissur in from Bangalore. In addition to that were about 80% submerged. People army medical team also brought in to In the morning of August 9, Defence perceived the wrath of the nature action to take care of the immediate Security Corps (DSC), Kannur headed and potential doomsday.Serious and medical exigencies. by Commandant Col Ajay Sharma sent urgent attention by the HADR team 5 columns of army, one column each Army operated with life jackets, BAUT was the need of the hour. to the flood affected areas of Kannur, (Boat Assault Universal Test), poles, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and The Army deployed 19 columns of generators, search lights, motor Idukki districts. Meanwhile, Station boats (Out Boat Motor) and safely Commander, Pangode Military Station rescued more than 15000 people to Brigadier CG Arun deployed various the various relief camps across Kerala. regiments stationed in the 91 Domestic animals and the valuables Infantry Brigade to rescue the of the people were also brought in marooned victims. to safety as part of Operation Sahyog. The unmatched precipitation unfurled catastrophe across In addition to rescue, Army the flood plains of the personnel carried ration state to such an extend for the victims in case of which is not recorded exigency, in addition to in the history of Kerala emergency medical kits, . The heavy downpour in repaired the shattered the catchment areas of roads and made it all the 41 west flowing commutable, cleared rivers made the rivers debris, constructed swelled up and overflowing temporary wooden bridges flood waters shifted the and even redirected the

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling course of the overflowing rivers to Operation Karuna was controlled and B Suresh commanded the entire air direct the flood waters away from the coordinated from the Headquarters operations. Air operations started settlements. of Southern Air Command located at on August 9thfrom Air Force Station INDIAN AIR FORCE Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram Dist. Technical Area, Shangumugom, Thiru- `OPERATION KARUNA’ Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of vananthapuram, Air Force Station Sulur, Southern Air Command Air Marshal Coimbatore, INS Garuda, Kochi. In

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addition to that, Air Force helicopters operations since the beginning. submerged the Kuttanad area in the operated from helipads located month of July. MARCOS, diving team, In addition to that , addressing the at various flood affected districts Gemini boats and helicopters were needs and requirements of women and like Wayanad, Chengannur, Varkala, used in a considerable large scale to children in distress,AFWWA (Air Force Palakkad. Helicopters and transport cover the sizeable area affected by the Wives Welfare Association) mobilised aircrafts of Air Force operated from flood. Rescue operation were carried relief kits from air commands across Karippur and Nedumbasseri as well. using both boats and by winching from India and distributed to various relief helicopters. The winching of a pregnant During the initial week of Operation camps.The relief kits consists of lady by navy helicopter was one among Karuna, Air Force was doing a dress, sanitary napkins and other basic the most risky rescue mission ever supportive role for the Army, NDRF, materials for ladies and children. happened in Kerala. BSF etc. Indian Air Force transport INDIAN NAVY – OPERATION MADAD aircrafts AN-32, C-17 Globemaster, In addition to rescue operation, camps C-130J mobilized personnel and Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard were organized at Kochi Naval Base equipments of Army, NDRF, BSF, Fire co-ordinated its HADR operations and Aluva. ALH & Seaking helicopters Force from various parts of India from Kochi. Southern Naval Command that took off from INS Garuda went and transported them to the flood headed by the Flag Officer Command- for sorties over districts like Thrissur, affected areas through helicopters. ing-in-Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chawla Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha During the initial days of the flood, is the commander of the entire Naval winched people and safely dropped all the VVIP movements were also operations. The HADR operations of them in the relief camps. In addition felicitated by the IAF assets. Tons of Indian Navy started well before the to that navy contributed Rs.8.9 Crore equipments, supplies, relief materials Army and IAF, when the torrential rain to the CM’s relief fund. Admiral Sunil and food were transported by IAF transport aircrafts and distributed using helicopters. By 15th of August when the torrential rain inundated the state, IAF started the intensive rescue operations by winching from the helicopters and enhanced the food distribution through the air dropping. A total of 26 helicopters, both ALH and Mi17V5 22 were pushed into action and an additional 5 helicopters were kept stand by. Despite inclement weather, closely placed high rise buildings and thick tall vegetation created challenges for the helicopters, IAF rescued more than 600 people by winching from the deluged areas. On Thiruvonam day,on behalf of IAF, AOC-in-C Southern Air Command Air Marshal B Suresh handed over a cheque of 20 Crore to the Chief Minister at CM’s office. All officers, airmen, non combatant enrolled and civilians of Indian Air Force across the country contributed their one day salary and that’s how this huge sum has been mobilised. IAF continued its relief operations by the deployment of RAMT(Rapid Action Medical Team).RAMT from Hindon reached Kerala on 23 August and they set up their medical camps at Kuttanad area.10 medical units from the Southern Air Command and the RAMT team from Bangalore were already deployed at the Kuttanad area and were carrying out the relief

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Lanba, Chief of the Navy Staff directly handed over the amount to CM of Kerala. INDIAN COAST GUARD : The HADR Operations of Indian Coast Guard was headed by Shri.Sanatan Jana, DIG, Indian Coast Guard. Similar as that of the tri-services, men and machinery of the Coast Guard were mobilized from all across India for the operational easiness. Defence forces worked in close co-ordination with the state machinery. The palpable cohesion between the various centre and state forces and civilians helped to addressed the doom at various levels, saved lives and averted the terrible fate to a considerable extent.

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Dr.Manoj M.G Research Scientist, Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cochin University of Science and Technology

THE FLOOD 24 FACTS AND FACTORS

hough there are two Several observing stations had seasons. Out of this, the monsoon different schools of thought witnessed extremely heavy showers season contributes to nearly on the scientific reason amounting to greater than 20 cm. three-fourth of the annual amount. for this unprecedented Multiple landslides and debris flow Following three consecutive deluge –whether natural blocked the shutters of some of below-normal monsoon years, this Tor man-made – one could the dams, forcing water levels rise year seemed to receive fairly heavy qualitatively assess the role played to precarious levels, and re-routed rainfall even during pre-monsoon changing climate pattern over the several rivers causing massive season itself. Generally, north-south sub-continent as the primary driving destruction. Though there were oscillation of the global cloud force behind it. warnings of very heavy rainfall and band - known as the inter-tropical red alerts from the meteorological convergence zone (ITCZ) nearly The catchment areas of the dams department, nobody had dreamt parallel to the equator - brings received unimagined precipitation of such a once-in-lifetimenatural in large-scale rainfall over the levels. There are even unpublished calamity, is the reality. continent. In addition, another reports revealing that the quantum oscillation having a periodicity of rainfall received at many hill Mechanism of Historical Rainfall of 30-60 days of the cloud band stations during this period was Kerala receives its entire annual eastward over the tropical region, equivalent to that of the seasonal rainfall during three major seasons: known as the Madden-Julian rainfall. The highest record of rainfall pre-monsoon (March-May), Oscillation (MJO) also contributes officially announced is about 40 cm monsoon (June-September), and to a major quantum of rainfall. From at Nilambur on 09th August 2018. post-monsoon (October-December) May-2018 onwards, the amplitude

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Several observing stations had witnessed extremely heavy showers amounting to greater than 20 cm. Multiple landslides and debris flow blocked the shutters of some of the dams, forcing water levels rise to precarious levels, and re-routed several rivers causing massive destruction.

25 and location of MJO was favourable average. The carrying capacities weather pattern could be the sole for a good rainfall over the State. of the water bodies to hold the triggering factor for overflowing of Subsequently, an early onset of run-off water also exhausted. dams and rivers which led to once- south-west monsoon occurred The irrigation and hydel dams in-lifetime flood. over Kerala following which heavy on the Western Ghats were also Another interesting feature of the episodes of three major downpours getting to their maximum storage 2018 monsoon was it was followed were recorded in June, July and capacity. What followed was a by moderate-to-heavy lightning. It August. The strengthening and tragedy of the unprecedented shows the development of deep weakening phases of monsoon scale. Most of the times, heavy convective thunderclouds, which is within a season, otherwise mete- rains were associated with either a rarely heard-of event in monsoon, orologically termed as the active low-pressure zones or depressions but common during the hot summer and break cycle is the backbone in the Arabian Sea and/or the Bay period like pre-monsoon and of the intra-seasonal variability of of Bengal. The semi-permanent post-monsoon. An ideal condition the southwest monsoon. Normally, nature of low pressure area near for the electric charge formation a strong phase of precipitation the Orissa coast needs deeper in convective clouds is the fast is followed by a weak or no-rain scientific investigation. The low/ upward vertical motion of air event (break). This year was depression over this region draws in which simultaneously leads to peculiar in the sense that the moisture-rich air towards its centre deep convection. This shows that rainfall was unending, and not a while making the flow happen unusual high vertical velocities typical break situation occurred. overhead of Kerala. The peculiar induced by the Western Ghats And this unending rain was topography of Western Ghats must be examined to explore the falling on a soil that was already makes the humid air lift to the role of Western Ghats in extreme soaked by rains starting from higher heights favouring formation rain-making mechanism. May onwards. The increase in rain of thick rain-bearing clouds. during the August episode was Consequently, heavy rains lashed Ever-increasing Population 164% in excess of its long-term out the hilly regions. This particular and Climate Change - the Main

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26 In addition, another oscillation having a periodicity of 30-60 days of the cloud band eastward over the tropical region, known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) also contributes to a major Realized 24-hour rainfall recorded over Kerala on Aug 16, 2018. The quantum of rainfall. bright red patches show very heavy rainfall greater than 11.5 cm. (Courtesy: India Meteorological Department)

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Culprits erosion, encroachments in the flood climate variability. However, the plains, etc. have reduced the carrying Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Kerala is the third densely populated 27 capacity of the environment. These Change (IPCC) under the United States in India (860 as compared to man-made hazards also need to Nations Organization had reported in the national average of 382/km2), be addressed while exploring the 2007 that global surface temperature according to the 2011 Census. The causative factors of flood. We need is rising at a rate of 0.13 degrees ever demanding needs and greed to frame developmental policies that per decade, and that the number of of human kind have deteriorated are unique to Kerala due only to its rainy days are becoming less, and the the environment, causing a rapid environmental susceptibility. volume of precipitation far greater decrease in the paddy and marsh than the normal average. Natural land -natural storages of rain water is The occurrence of one extreme calamities were not familiar to us until really shocking to reveal that the area event is not sufficient to prove the occurrence of massive Tsunami of paddy fields has been reduced to beyond doubt that such events are in December-2004. During the about 20 percent of what was there caused by global climate change. recent years, however, there were a before 1970s. Additionally, massive There are natural inherent variability series of extreme events: first-time deforestation, illegal quarrying,soil and stochastic processes in Heat wave in April-2016, Cyclone

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Okhi in November-2017 and now historical Flood in temperatures (SST) are increasing as a result of August-2018. All these events were unprecedented. global warming. Nature has a self-healing capacity to Meanwhile, several countries in the world are now normalize the excess amount of heat accumulated facing severe climatic extremes: e.g.; Wildfires in in its different spheres such as the atmosphere and Greece, Heat waves in Europe and Canada, Floods in hydrosphere. This might lead to various mechanisms Japan and France. that lower the temperature deposited at various hot spots as a result of global air and ocean currents/ Floods and droughts are the two sides of the circulations. The earliest sign of global warming is same coin known as Climate Change. Not only the thus manifested in the increased frequency and air temperatures but also the global sea surface intensity of Depressions and Cyclones.Thus, it can

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling 29

be well argued that the consecutive formation of natural calamity, the sheer volume of precipitation depressions over the Orissa coast could mainly be inundating the landscape and triggering landslides attributed to increased warming, the consequence in the hill can be viewed as an invisible process –a of which is the human intervention on Earth’s prelude – to something worse that we are yet to environment. face in the near future. We should not digress from the central issue! Though local factors multiplied the impacts of this

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Ajith Lawrence Associated Press Correspondent, Specialisation- Science,Environment,Disaster Migration and Sociology

30 Global Warming and Climate Change

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Out of the entire geographical landscape of 38,660 sq kms, only 22,000sq kms of land are recorded for active and effective use. And out of the total land over 42% of the Midland including small and large hill areas those are part of Western Ghats, marked as environmentally fragile and prone for cascade and could be used only for vegetation.

• Scientists attract Global warming and climate change as reasons for the recent devastating flood . Hence Asian Tsunami -2004 and Ockham. Decades ago, Kerala has been marked as environmentally fragile. Therefore the state is prone for various natural disasters. 31 • The State of Kerala has been gripped under unusually high rainfall since mid of May this year ,that has led to statewide floods, one of the worst ever, taking several lives and causing severe damages to infrastructure and agriculture.

• Indian researchers have documented accelerated glacial melting at an Arctic fjord, a much-discussed factor projected to influence Indian Monsoon with changing global warming.

• Changes in remote Arctic such as glacial and sea ice melting, affect Indian monsoons as they contribute to its year-to year variability that translates into devastating floods and droughts.

• Environmental scientists also point that past policy decisions and human activities like quarrying, Encroachment onto fragile areas, are responsible for the flood havoc.

Kerala has been gripped under unusually high rainfall since mid of May this year,that has led to statewide floods taking several lives and causing severe damages to infrastructure and agriculture.

There hasn’t been a flood of this scale for the last 90 years. “The reason for disastrous flood is not due to management of dams but due to unprecedented and unpredictable heavy rainfall,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA

specially called Assembly Session, citing Centre Water Due to unprecedented and unpredictable heavy rainfall that Commission. could not sustain the capacity of the dams, Kerala had to open the shutters of over 37 dams. Opening of shutters The political and geographical map consists Kerala with of dams to such a large number, worsened damages and 590 kms of the coastal stretch on the one side and claimed 483 precious lives and devastated 12000kms of western Ghats on the other side of the state borders’ public roads and many of the bridges and a good chunk of sharing with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The sandwiching agriculture and economy of the state. The damages have landscape between Coastal area and the Western Ghats is been reckoned so severe, because of the encroachments equally important for the state’s geography and economy. in the guise of shelter onto the banks of the rivers, canals and ponds. Despising the marked flood routs, for the rivers Out of the entire geographical landscape of 38,660 sq to flow freely on account of heavy rainfall, if ever the dams kms, only 22,000sq kms of land are recorded for active and over flow or open up shutters. effective use. And out of the total land over 42% of the Midland including small and large hill areas those are part Though there are past history of even severe floods (in of Western Ghats, marked as environmentally fragile and Malayalam calendar; the cycle of flood in 1057,1099 during prone for cascade and could be used only for vegetation. Idavam and Karkkidakam) in Kerala but not in the memory of The recent disastrous flood has occurred in here at the anyone who lives alive now. But each flood havoc were the above said sensitive areas, which were permanent shelter repetition of past cyclic period causing severe damages of many hundred families, who have incidentally resorted to to life and livelihood. Now for Kerala’s disaster means, the relief camps. Asian Tsunami-2004 and the ten months ago Ockhi. Prior to the recent flood, mainland people were thinking, they are

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Therefore the frequenting of various disasters in various types are behind us, ready to take us all for a ride but final! Unless we ourselves are careful in our approach to the nature and take necessary precautions.

summer monsoon, regulates the life and culture of the vast population of the Indian subcontinent through its wide spectrum of variability.While the defining variability about the season (intra-seasonal) is also important.

It is not the ordinary rain clouds which shower monsoon. The change in weather and warming also shower rain untimely. Because of warming and changing in the climate, there are also innumerable heat-islands are being developed rapidly, which travel at a low-aerial, that showers slightly, at times causing thunder and lightning which is more dangerous. As a result, even the ground water streams are dried up and severe drought that creates 33 cracks on the land and life becomes unbearably impossible.

“The glaciers and sea ice cover in the Arctic is responding to the well-established warming that is happening there and it is of concern to us because the Indian monsoon doesn’t occur in isolation. Factors such as El Nino, La Nina and changes in remote Arctic and Antarctic over 7000 kms away affect monsoons as they contribute to its variability on various timescales,” said Vikash Kumar Scientist at National Centre for Anarctic and Ocean Research(NCAOR),Goa. living on a safest plain despite encroachments to fragile and precarious areas. And never expected such a flood of Scientists and Traditional Knowledge this magnitude. One of Kerala’s worst floods The global warming and Climate changing reports are of great significance in the wake of latest study, which say Rain clouds or cloud bursts are reasons for monsoon rain the Arctic’s “Last Bastion” of sea ice, off the coast of and summer rains, as well as rains due to low-pressure northern Greenland, is breaking up, highlighting the polar on the Ocean. But once the climate change and Global region’s vulnerability to rapidly rising temperatures. warming have been reported, the weather forecast has become more complex and inaccurate and unpredictable. The traditional illiterate people around the corner of a The recent heavy rainfall have destructed the entire socio- village, be it in hill-side or on the verge of the coast, would economic status of Kerala, is also to be attached as the correctly predict climate and forecast their apprehension reason for not been able to predict the weather correctly. with precision, from life experience who live along with the nature, with open eyes and simple heart of a layman’s Therefore the frequenting of various disasters in various curiosity. Frequent ‘Traditional knowledge exchange types are behind us, ready to take us all for a ride but final! programmes with the tribal and fishermen community and Unless we ourselves are careful in our approach to the community living’ would enable scientists to earn practical nature and take necessary precautions. knowledge that would go along with theoretical and academic learning, for the good of them and for the good Indian summer monsoon, which is prominent of Asian of the whole nation. [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA

This shows, they can’t be scientists in its full-sense and as a full-time professional who observes the changes in the climate pattern and alert the government and the public in general. A scientist’s profession is ‘seasonal’ job in Kerala.

The Tsunami was the worst incident of nature’s fury to be marked as “ we are not safe” in Kerala coast. But exactly after 13years, we alone were been hit hard by the Ockhi that too claimed several hundreds of lives of the poor fisher folk. These two natural calamities are loudly declared by the international scientific community, as the effect of ‘Global Warming and Climate Change’! Idukki dam opened after 26 years

Though 37 small and big dams were opened across Kerala in this crisis, the opening of the Idukki dam’s shutters at Cheruthoni gained media and public attention. Idukki is the biggest arch dam in Asia and the last time this dam’s shutters were opened was in 1992.

In the wake of the heavy rains this year, the water level in the dam had reached almost 2400 feet, just a few feet lesser than its maximum capacity 34 of 2403 feet. On August 9, following a warning to the public, the officials opened the shutters of the dam, after 26 years.

It was the first time in the history that all five shutters of the dam were opened. After the shutters were opened, it precipitated rapid swelling of Periyar river that flows through Idukki and Ernakulam districts. Nearly 700,000 litres of water per second was discharged from the Idukki dam into the Periyar river.

“Because of torrential rains and landslides, over a few thousand relief camps were started in different parts of all the impacted districts Lack of a Sustainable Urbanisation and construction Policy and over 20 lakhs of people have been relocated to these sited for reflected heat enhances the intensity of actual camps. Opening of the shutters of Cheruthoni dam due temperature. Hence unbearable. El Nino also said to be one to increased water level of Idukki dam has also resulted of the reasons for the present unbearable heat wave being in people being moved to camps. We have taken enough experienced in the state. measures to provide all the necessary facilities for the affected people,” D. Balamurali, Idukki district collector The Southern India state Kerala a known tourism said. destination in the world map is now reeling under the heat wave over it. “ God’s own country” as it’s known is Heat Islands:- experiencing a harsh summer heat wave like conditions with an increased temperature of five to six ‘degree Celsius Sun Strokes and deaths reported in Kerala. Highest and sun stroke burns and deaths, at various parts in the temperature reported since 1987. state.” This high and unprecedented situation of Heat wave Climate change is happening in the state as elsewhere. is to continue, “Said ( 2016) Dr. K. Santhosh Director of

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling have found with burned patches of Sun stroke in a month.

It was not just the heat, it is the dryness. And people find it difficult to bear the dry heat. Substantiating this fact the rivers, water bodies and dam reservoirs were running dry. In Idukki Dam the reservoir had only 29% of water, which is less than 19.9 % of water compared to last year. Idukki Dam’s reservoir Water level is above 2329.1 sea level.

In many of the residential areas across the state, people were affected by drought. The long wait for tanker Lorries with drinking water from the government agencies as substitute for tap water were days of nightmare. Many of the wells used for fetching drinking water have gone dry. The situation was so severe that in many of the housing colonies people buy drinking water from private drinking water service agencies .

Adding to this is the El Nino effect, that was felt in 2015 and continued upto 2016. World temperatures have been higher in the early days of 2016.

According to data published by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon was deficient in Kerala even though the northwest monsoon was in excess in 2015. And thereby the state overall received average rainfall of 2,124.40 mm instead of the normal 2,520.40 mm, a drop of 15.7%.

This was reflected heat, precipitated by urbanisation and increase in the construction field in the state, said Architect Santhosh Ravindran. We need a sustainable construction policy for Urbanisation like that of Europe. Any concrete building with cement and mortar will breath oxygen for 99 years. And as the number of concrete high raised buildings grew in the name of Urbanisation lead to 35 a status of oxygen less ambience and nature. Hence the human being will find it difficult to breath freely the natural oxygen, He said.

Census of India report says there has been a rapid increase in the urbanisation of Kerala between 2001-2011. While in 2001, nearly a quarter of the state’s population(25.96%) lived in urban centres, had increased to nearly half(47.72%) in 2011. The number of statutory towns plus census towns increased from 159 in 2001 to 520 in 2011.

Also due to ruthless construction, the rain water do not stay on the ground and even the deep down ground water has been shrunk further down. Normally the rain water remains on the surface ground and percolates down to deeper ground that enriches the ground water sources. Now as soon as a rain ends, the water runs straight to the Meteorological Department. sea through the surface land within no time.

On April 19,2014 the reported highest temperature was Urbanisation is known to create heat islands, since urban 41.1’ Celsius with an intensity of 46’ degree Celsius, at centres take longer to cool than open spaces. Concrete Malampuzha area. It was in 1987 that temperature of this buildings absorb Oxygen along with heat, and later in the same magnitude was reported in Palakkad. Kannur has evening heat alone dissipate slowly. The concrete buildings touched 39 degree Celsius. Though there is a chance for also generate their own heat due to air conditioning and sporadic thin rain in the state, but that would not in any lighting, Scientists said. way reduce the heat situation said the Met Department. Also the number of people collapsing due to excessive All the above studies and findings show that we the heat wave in on the rise. There were reports that people Keralites live on the verge of a natural disaster prone land fell down and died, due to Sun Stroke. And over 115 people stretch. Therefore what we need is a “standardisation of shelter”, by a strict government house policy.

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Yamini Nair Senior Assistant Editor, Hindustan Times

36 SCRIPTING A YOUNG HISTORY The involvement of the New Gen during the rescue and relief measures gives us the confidence that the future of our State is safe in their hands.

hree generations haven’t seen a provide relief to thousands who have appreciation from all quarters. Always disaster of the magnitude that been affected by the devastating been at the receiving end from the Kerala saw in August. And, no floods. The paramount pillar of the elder people for spending more time Tgeneration has ever seen the task is the new-generation youth who in the virtual world than in real world, participation of the state’s youth for a were otherwise ridiculed for not being these youngsters proved how to put social cause in such huge numbers. socially responsible. their expertise in social media to good use in the time of crisis. Kerala is scripting history with the Thousands of them turned up at sheer number of its people who various collection points and relief In Thiruvananthapuram, one of the kept aside political and religious camps across the state in the past least affected districts, all the relief differences to come together and weeks following the floods, gaining collection points were teeming with

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling For the notebook writing initiative, brainchild of a Calicut-based NGO, the keyboard-savvy generation took up pens to write school notes for their younger sisters and brothers.

lighter moments with the volunteers. “Do you know what you are doing? You are scripting history,” she said when the youngsters who were listening with a gleeful smile marking their sweaty faces broke into an applause. 37 In recognition of their efforts, she also directed educational institutions in the district to grant attendance to students who did voluntary services for flood relief. Around 600 truckloads of essential items were sent by the district administration from the state capital to various districts. The entire operation was managed through social media and in places where network was affected, tech-savvy youth pitched in with innovative solutions. In Wayanad, they set up a Ham radio control room at the Kalpetta collectorate when the relief works couldn’t be coordinated due to connectivity issues. volunteers. The organisers had to became a beacon of hope for the older “The youth brigade from different regulate them by making them work in generation. Senior officials, including parts of Kerala and neighbouring shifts. district collectors, were seen leading states joined the district from the front, much to the cheer of Be it notebook writing project for administration from the very beginning all who turned up. children, loading and unloading tonnes of the calamity. Their enthusiasm, of relief material at the airport, Thiruvananthapuram district collector vigour and sheer social commitment cooking food for those in relief camps K Vasuki who coordinated the initiative proved that our youths are or cleaning houses and public places under the district administration, outstanding,” said Keshvendra Kumar, that had turned a dirtpile after the came out appreciating the youngsters’ district collector in charge, Wayanad. water receded, these youngsters, efforts. In a video shared on social In Kasargod, the youngsters took with their unparalleled participation, media, she was seen sharing some [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Be it notebook writing project for children, loading and unloading tonnes of relief material at the airport, cooking food for those in relief camps or cleaning houses and public places that had turned a dirtpile after the water receded, these youngsters, with their unparalleled participation, became a beacon of hope for the older generation.

leave from work and toiled day and significant in this world than the sheer night to help those suffering in the will and passion for bringing a sense worst-affected districts by sending of hope, a mere smile on the faces of truckloads of essential items and desperate people.” The young hearts actively participating in rehabilitation did succeed in that fabulously. efforts. For the notebook writing initiative, In a debate on Kairali TV, G brainchild of a Calicut-based NGO, the Vijayaraghavan, former member, keyboard-savvy generation took up Planning Board, said the recent pens to write school notes for their participation by youth in rescue and younger sisters and brothers. NGOs, relief work rewrote the conception libraries and individuals took charge 39 that the younger generation is not and Kerala saw goodness of another socially conscious and that such a level in the thousands of handwritten commitment is not possible other notebooks given to children who lost than through a political party. “It their notebooks to the floods. sent out a clear message that Kerala “The youth took it forward and made is safe in the hands of its younger it a huge success,” says Vijesh generation,” he said. Perumkulam, a teacher with Govt Murali Thummarukudi, chief of Disaster BHSS Kottarakkara, and secretary Risk Reduction, United Nations of Bapuji Smaraka Vayanashala that Environment Programme (UNEP), championed the cause. called for including the younger Activist Elias John who was one of generation in rebuilding efforts in a the coordinators of the notebook lead role. He was attending a seminar initiative in Thiruvananthapuram, on rebuilding Kuttanad, one of the says, “We can’t say only youngsters worst-affected areas. helped. People from all age groups In a website, youthkiawaaz.com, are wholeheartedly helping in Mahima Rose Angelin shares how her whatever way they can. But logistical father was finding it hard when some opportunities are more available for youngsters who were strangers turned youngster and their efforts were up to clean her home that was turned a visible,” he says. dirt pile after the floodwater receded. Perhaps that’s true. But whatever it “But how could some young men turn may be, the selfless service of the up at late night in a stranger’s home state’s youngsters in the hour of need doing such menial tasks without was commendable and will be written getting paid -- my old father couldn’t in golden letters in Kerala’s history, understand the logic,” she writes making a lesson worth emulating for and adds, “...there is nothing more other states. [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Ignatius Pereira THE SALT OF HUMAN KINDNESS “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (MATHEW 4:19)

The bravery and philanthropism displayed by the fishermen during the deluge show that we have nothing to fear in times of emergency as we have these sons of the sea, ‘our own army’.

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling For many of them that hope got translated into reality with the arrival of the fishermen corps to complement the efforts of the Government agencies in rescue operations.

or at least five days during mid-August the concerns of fishermen living along the coastline of Kerala was not the Fweather conditions at sea or the quantity of fish they could net. Their worry was how to rescue the thousands of people marooned by the deadly flash flooding miles away from the sea coast across terrains they have never seen. In the affected areas, the floods proved threatening even for those living in two or three storey houses and as they got chased to the upper floors of their houses and watched the floodwaters continuing to rise steadily towards them, the only hope that remained in them is for someone to come and rescue them. Though some were unfortunate, for the majority it was not a vain hope. For many of them that hope got translated into reality with the arrival of the fishermen corps to complement the efforts of the Government agencies in rescue operations. The success met through the deployment of fishermen in the flood hit areas triggered for the first time a line of thinking about the potential of fishermen in rescue teams to save people trapped in flood waters. 41 Around five thousand fishermen and more than one thousand traditional fishing crafts were engaged in rescue operations and the fishermen alone had plucked more than 65,000 persons to safety. Being people who often brave the rough seas, they are comfortable in waters. Many of them also had direct experiences in rescuing fellow fishermen from the sea. It all began on August 15 when the Government on the one hand devoted man and machinery to saving lives from the flooded homes as part of the conventional rescue operations while on the other hand moved into the fishing hamlets of the coastal areas with appeals to fishermen to become part of Government’s hand-picked team of rescuers. State level leader of the Matsya Thozhilali Federation, H. Basilal said that the Minister for Fisheries, J. Mercykutty Amma arrived at the fishing hamlets of Kollam city twice and personally appealed to the fishermen to help save lives trapped in the unprecedented flood waters. The Government move was based on a clear understanding that saving lives from the floods that had hit the State needed people with first-hand aquatic skills too in addition to conventional rescue operations. 49 year old fisherman Joseph from the Moothakara fishing hamlet in Kollam who was one of the first fishermen from Kollam to join the rescue operations, recalls that on August 15 he was initially approached by the Matsyafed authorities for an outboard engine to be operated in the flood hit areas. This was soon followed up by an SOS for physical involvement of fishermen with their traditional vessels in the rescue operations.

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Joseph said that by evening the same day he had arrived at flood hit Aranmula, a place he had never seen before. Much of Aranmula was by then covered with turbid water and streets turned into gushing streams navigable only by boat. The first task in which he immediately engaged saw the rescue of eight police officers from the inundated Aranmula police station. He remembers that except for saving people from the flood waters he had done nothing else for the next twenty four hours. Backed by a few dedicated local people from Aranmula, Joseph says that one of his biggest satisfactions in life is that he and the others with him have is that they were able to rescue more than 300 people to safety. Had they not reached in time at least ten among those rescued would have drowned, he said. He was at Aranmula from August 15 to 18 engaged in saving lives from the flood waters. The fishermen said that though it was a rescue operation from the waters, it was totally different from the sea based rescue experiences they had. Some among the flood victims were not immediately willing to get ferried to safety, others were too scared to enter the boats and there were also some who were even wary of them. The fishermen had to motivate, counsel and convince such people first and they succeeded with many. Some fishermen even posed as human stepping stones for the victims especially women, to safely board the rescue vessels. There were instances of fishermen trying to convince wary victims “even if we risk drowning we will ensure that you are safe”. But there were many whose screams for help was loud enough to be heard above the howling rain. In some instances the fishermen engaged in search and rescue work had to face many risks like getting exposed to poisonous snakes. Yet those risks did not deter their efforts to save families from flooded homes. Manoeuvring their boats through the water filled streets into residential areas was also a difficult task and it resulted in many boats getting damaged and turning unfit for marine operations. Rescuing people from the second floor of a building surrounded by rushing waters presented more of a challenge, said Yesudas another fisherman from Kollam. And all that service as true compatriots without expecting any pecuniary gains. Those who were saved recount it with profound gratitude. V.K. Madhusoodanan, a marine enthusiast who had done a good number of studies on the fishing community says that what the fishermen did at the flood 42 hit areas was astounding. Though most fishing communities in Kerala are located within urban areas or in the periphery of townships the community is still in many respects marginalised and branded as rough and tough people who have to be kept at bay. It is perhaps for the first time through their intervention in the flood rescue operations that the Government and the larger society became aware that members of the fishing community are indeed good Samaritans, said Mr. Madhusoodanan. If hitherto during emergency situations it was the Government that deployed its machinery and men for rescuing fishermen from the sea last month’s flood situation saw the fishermen voluntarily returning the same service to the people in a professional manner. They proved to be a ready to operate flood relief battalion without the Government incurring any kind of expenses like training and salaries. The skill that they acquired was passed on to them by their ancestors. The rescue wings of the Government are created through huge expenses. Mr. Basilal said that fishermen saw the flood situation as a disaster that befell on them and when asked for help quickly responded by even suspending their livelihood activities. Their only request now is that the Government should adequately compensate the damages to their fishing vessels and outboard engines while operating these in the flood hit areas. “Those are our livelihood means and since the Government has assured that it would be compensated we look forward to that reaching us”, said Yesudas. With the prowess of the fishermen proved during rescue operations at flood hit areas, it has now come to light that they are a lot ready to serve the community and the nation in times of emergency. Following the 9/11 terrorist strike at Mumbai, it dawned upon the Government that in addition to the defence forces, the fishermen out at sea could also serve as eyes and ears for coastal security. They were then trained for such service and it is undoubtedly paying dividends.

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Joseph said that by evening the same day he had arrived at flood hit Aranmula, a place he had never seen before. Much of Aranmula was by then covered with turbid water and streets turned into gushing streams navigable only by boat.

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Muralee Thummarukudy Operations Manager, Post-conflict and Disaster Management Branch United Nations Environment Programme

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling Muralee Thummarukudy Operations Manager, Post-conflict and Disaster Management Branch United Nations Environment Programme

uring floods, the amount of water that of the dams while in Thailand, the army had to comes gushing through the rivers is intervene to save the dams. enormous. This can cause the river What needs to be done is to provide the water levels to rise. This can be seen D river the space to widen during the time even in rivers whose waters usually do not of floods. For this, use the areas along the surge, and may affect places even far from riverbed as croplands. Houses should not be the riverbed. But such floods are rare. This constructed here. The government needs to happens only once in fifty or hundred years. declare beforehand that if these areas are ever This, ironically, is its biggest problem. People no ravaged by floods, adequate compensation will longer remember to what level the water had be provided to the farmers. If there are cities risen nearly a century ago. But nature does not on the shores of the rivers, protective barriers forget. Over decades and centuries, the rivers have to be built and the population density try to reclaim their lost boundaries. of the area has to be kept in check. This In the meantime, people construct a road or method is being followed in Europe too ,and hotel in its way. Needless to add, it will be is one of the solutions being put forward by swept away. Remember the Great Flood of 99 organizations including the UNEP for disaster that occurred in Kerala. Several places still prevention. have records of how much the water level had The destruction caused by the floods is risen in July 1924. A large part of Travancore compounded by the numerous landslides that was inundated. There was massive loss of occur near the river source. Both are more life and property. But the majority of people or less man-made disasters. Clearing the in Kerala has forgotten this. Since the Idukki mountain slopes and constructing roads and 45 dam was constructed, Malayalis have been houses in these regions are clearly a way to competing with each other to construct invite danger. In addition to this, in Kerala, there ‘beautiful’ houses on the shores of the Periyar. is another bane in the name of land excavation. In the last fifty years or so, development By conserving nature, landslides and land activities such as the setting up of a pesticide excavation can be prevented to a certain factory to the construction of an international extent. I was taught these lessons in the land airport have taken place in the areas that of Sunderlal Bahuguna, in the land of Chipko, were inundated in the floods of 99 (1924). one of India’s top environmental organizations. Statistical evidence had shown that heavy It was saddening to see a disaster strike here rainfall would once again batter these areas too. and submerge the land. So before you build a A flood is actually not a natural disaster. flat or supermarket, it is advisable to check if It is only a natural phenomenon. From the area had ever been affected by floods. recharging the groundwater to renewing the There is a widespread notion that dams can micronutrients in the water bodies, there are prevent floods. This may be true in most numerous benefits of floods. If we take into cases. During the time of great floods, dams account the natural boundaries of the rivers are like a double-edged sword. At the time of for land use planning, conserve the forests in the Pakistan floods in 2010 and the Thailand the catchment areas and preserve the hills, floods in 2011, dams, in fact, worsened the however heavy the rainfall may be, there will be crises. When there is an unprecedented rise no damage. But if you choose to build houses, in water levels, the shutters of the dams are hotels, factories and airports by encroaching raised, wreaking havoc in the low-lying areas. on the waterbodies, do not complain about But if the shutters are not opened, people natural disasters when the rivers try to living in the catchment areas are bound to reclaim their natural boundaries. It is as futile suffer. The world over, during the time of and meaningless as accusing the railway of floods, we have seen people living in both destroying your car after you decide to park it these areas engaged in conflict. In Pakistan, on a rail track! the locals got together to open the shutters

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Nick Ut Stands by Kerala

ick Ut, world renowned press photographer who rose to fame by taking the Terror of War picture, was in a state of shock when Nhe came to know the news about the Kerala floods. He was in Kerala a few months back and took many pictures of the State. The affection and respect he gained from the State made him speak ‘This is my second home’. He was dejected and sad when he was informed that some of the dearest places that he photographed bore the brunt of the deluge.” I urge all the people across the world to contribute to the CMDRF as maximum as they can” he said Nik Ut was visiting Delhi in connection with the event held by the Leica Company. Sunil Kaul, the CEO of the Leica in the Asia Pacific region, said that the money collected by selling the photographs of Nick Ut in auction would be donated to the CMDRF.

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED THE FLOODS : Antonio Guterres

ntonio Guteress, United Nations Secretary Puerto Rico last year, making it one of the deadliest extreme General, blamed climate change for the recent weather conditions in the US history. What makes all of this Kerala deluge. He connected climate change to even more disturbing is that we were warned”, he said. the floods during a speech at the UN headquarters “Scientists have been telling us for decades. Over and over in New York. A again. Far too few have acted with the vision that science “Natural disasters are occurring across the world with demands. We see the results. In some situations, they are increasing frequency despite scientists warning us for approaching scientists’ worst case scenarios. If we do not decades. Last month, the state of Kerala in India suffered change course by 2020,we risk missing the point where its worst monsoon flooding in the recent history, killing 400 we can avoid runaway climate change, with disastrous people and driving 1 million people more from their homes. consequences for people and all natural systems that We know that Hurricane Maria killed almost 3,000 people in sustain us”, Guiterres reminded.

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling ASIAN GAMES 2018 Sanil P Thomas Accredited reporter for Jakarta Asian Games

Though Keralites are accounted for only two golds our overall performance was commendable

HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling istorical success” . Olympic Council events.Rahi Jeevan and Vinesh Phogat won it of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al respectively. In Tennis men’s doubles ,men’s pair in Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah said before bridge,men’s light fly boxing,men’s quadruple sculls “Hdeclaring the 18th Asian Games at rowing,etc. fetched other gold medals for India. Jakarta and Palembang closed.And, India too bid an emotional farewell to the Games at Gelora Bung Karno Spectacular show by Keralites stadium, the main venue having achieved something Though Keralites are accounted for only two golds our historical. overall performance was commendable. Muhammed Anas from Nilamel, Kollam was in the podium thrice all A rich haul of 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze for silver. He won silver in 400m,4x 400m mens and placed India at 8th in the medal tally. The 69 medal mixed relay. Muhammed Kunju ran the final where as achievement was the best ever. In number of gold Jithu Baby ran the semi in men’s 4x400m relay to have medals we got 15 only once before , that was in the the silver. In fact three Keralites won silver for being inaugural year 1951.In 2010 we won 14 golds and a part of the relay team. total of 65.This time, India won 7 gold ,10 silver and 2 bronze from track and field.Three national records were V. Neena won silver in women’s long jump. P.U Chithra shattered , all by men athletes viz Tejinderpal Singh in landed bronze in 1500m. Of the lot, Jinson, the 27 year shot put (20.75m), Neeeraj Chopra in javelin(88.06m) old Armyman from Chakkittapara Kozhikode was the and DharunAyyaswamy in 400m hurdles(48.96sec). cynosure of all eyes as he made it apractice shattering Tejinder who started the gold hunt for India in athletics records one after the other.He learned from the eclipsed the Asian Games record as well, a spectacular unexpected loss in two lap and strategically planned to achievement indeed. have a dream finish in one mile.He was fifth in 1500m in the GoldCoast C W Games. Holding both 800m and Swapna Burman became the first Indian to have won 1500m national record Jinson was rated high and he heptathlon gold in the Asian Games. She braved tooth rose up to exlectation. aches other than the pain in having six fingers in her feet and wearing the usual spikes .Indian women relay team Regarding Vismaya it was not only her Asian Games made it five in a row in the 4x400m category. Instead debut but the first senior competition as well. With of fielding the best runner as anchor , India gambled by hardly seven months in the Indian camp and four giving the first lap to the world jr champion Hima Das months with the relay squad under the watchful eyes 49 and finished with the inexperienced V.K.Vismaya. In of US born Romanian coach Galina Bhukarino, Vismaya fact, the superb first lap performance by Hima followed defeated the likes of more experienced Jisna Mathew by an all out run by the most experienced of the lot and VijayaKumari to be in the final team and had an Poovamma put India far ahead that the super star one explosive anchor leg. lapper Salwa Nazer of Behrain could not make it up in Captaining the Indian men’s hockey team to bronze the anchor leg. medal finish, P. R . Sreejesh won a medal for Kerala. Most unexpected gold was by Manjith Singh in 800m. Deepika Pallickal Karthik and her cousin Sunaina When one and all expected gold from Jinson Johnson, Kuruvilla also had contributed to Kerala’s medal kitty. who bettered SreeramSingh’s record of late the 29 They with Joshna Chinnappa won silver in squash team year old unemployed lad from Haryana sprinted past event. Deepika won a bronze in singles also Jinson in the last 50 metres to clinch the gold. Entire media was unaware of the profile of Manjith, as he was Though Keralites fetched medals a pleanty we must not in the lime light for about eight years. And, that’s understand athletes from Haryana won 18 medals, five determination to the core. of them gold,Tamilnadu 12, Delhi 9 , U.P 9. Jinson offset the unexpected loss by winning the 1500 Other than athletics Kerala lags behind. The squash m easly. Manjith couldn’t land a podium finish. Dutee medals in true sense cannot be counted as ours. In Chand won a silver double in the sprint. water sports we could not field a single athlete. In swimming Sajan Prakash entered the final. In kurash India faced a severe set back in men and women , a new event we fielded two.women’s volleyball had Kabbadi and men’s hockey. Silver in women’s hockey majority Keralites.In men’s volley, women’s basketball, could not be counted as a debacle as we were in that etc. there were Keralites but the per formance was range only. below par. Hence its high time Kerala began thinking In shooting, and wrestling India won two gold each. about sports disciplines other than track and field. And for the first time Indian women won gold in both

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he disastrous word ‘Disaster’ has its origin in Latin. Aster in Latin means a star. In ancient times, sailors used to detect directions Tby looking at the position of certain stars. Unfortunately, in some days, the skies went cloudy and the sailors went astray. This resulted in shipwreck and many got drowned in the deep waters. When these incidents became frequent, a starless night was often called a disaster (No star). Hence, a disaster spelled death to many.

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee

Artist Rembrandt van Rijn Year 1633

kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling 51

[email protected] SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling Registered No. KL/TV(N)/104/2018-20 Date of Publication : 01. 09. 2018 RNI No. 35991/1980 Price:` 12

Printed and Published by T V Subhash IAS, Director, Information & Public Relations Department on behalfwww.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling of Government of Kerala kerala callingand PrintedSEPTEMBER at Orange 2018 Printers Pvt.Ltd., Thiruvananthapuram and published at Publication Wing, Information & Public Relations Department, Government Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Editor : T V Subhash IAS