CESS NEWS ISSN 0972-3633 CESS NEWS Newsletter of the Centre for Earth Science Studies Vol. 15 March 2005 No.1 CESS SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS CONCLUDE CESS Silver Jubilee Celebrations came to a close with the concluding function held on 30th March, 2005. Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, (KSCSTE) Govt. of Kerala presided over the function. The newly constructed Silver Jubilee block and Sophisticated Analytical Facility (SAF) were inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister for Education Sri. E.T. Mohammed Basheer. The Silver Jubilee block has added 600 sq. m of built up space to the existing laboratory complex to house Sri. E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Hon’ble Minister for Education, Govt. of Kerala inaugurating the Continued on Page 2 Silver Jubilee Block in the presence of (L.R) Prof. K.S. Valdiya, Chairman, CESS Research Council, Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Executive Vice President, KSCSTE and Dr. M. Baba, Director, CESS. IMPACT OF TSUNAMI ON THE KERALA COAST N.P. Kurian The 26th December 2004 tsunami that inundation limits, arrival time of waves, are presented in Figure. unleashed havoc along the shores of and assessment of its impact on coastal Though, the runup level and inundation many Indian Ocean countries, had a geomorphology, life and property, flora was low for Thiruvananthapuram coast, devastating impact on the Tamil Nadu and fauna, etc. Thus, a comprehensive it picked up towards Kollam in the and Kerala coast too. Though Kerala post-tsunami survey was initiated by north. In the Pozhiyur - Vizhinjam coast was in the shadow zone with CESS along the Kerala coast based on sector, the runup level was in the range respect to the direction of propagation the Post-Tsunami Survey Field Guide 1.0 –1.5 m, rising only up to the of the tsunami waves, its destructive published in the web site of International monsoonal berm. No damages have power left nearly 200 people killed and Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC). been caused in this area. In Vizhinjam – hundreds injured, in addition to Runup was estimated as the elevation at Thangasseri sector a run-up up to 2.5m destruction of houses and property the local maximum of the horizontal was noticed. Tsunami caused worth several crores of rupees. Most inundation, measured relative to the considerable damage to protected of the human casuality and destruction mean water level at each location (Page Thangasseri harbour area, where the occurred in sectors adjacent to the 13, ITIC Tsunami Glossary). Altogether, breakwater runup was up to 3m. Kayamkulam inlet that separates Kollam 83 locations spread over the entire Eventhough the area to the north of and Alappuzha districts. As tsunami is a Kerala coast, reported to have been Thangasseri is protected by a sea wall, rare event, particularly for the west coast affected by the tsunami, were visited. the tsunami caused widespread damges of India, and most of its signatures may For those sectors which were not visited, in that area also. In Maruthadi, south disappear, it is important to carry out information was collected by of Sakthikulangara, water entered post-tsunami surveys to generate a data interviewing affected people. The runup through a fishing gap in the seawall and base for future studies. The survey levels and impact of the tsunami on reached more than 100m landward included measurement of runup, different stretches along the Kerala coast Continued on Page 2 From the Director’s Desk Continued from p. 1 CESS SILVER ..... Scientists, planners, administrators and the people are still debating all over the country on the mechanisms to protect the life and property of the coastal population from tsunami and other natural hazards. With the annual coastal erosional impact reaching hundreds of meters, tsunami impact extending to a couple of kilometers and the cyclone/ storm surge reaching still further, the task of suggesting appropriate protective systems becomes highly arduous. The scientists are of the view that first the vulnerability analysis be done and based on this sufficient buffer space be provided, the settlements be on stilts, structural barriers be minimal, bioshields be created as speed breakers Sri. E.T. Mohammed Basheer distributing Silver Jubilee memento to Sri. P. and sufficient communication systems be put in Ramachandran Nair of CESS place. The people on the other hand, do not want to move away from their present dwelling places the SAF, consisting of X-ray articles, highlighting significant and want full structural protection of their areas Fluorescence Spectrometer contributions made by CESS without hindrance to their livelihood activities. The (XRF) lab, Paleomagnetic scientists, was released by administrators have the twin task of relief/rescue operations on one side and implementation of the laboratory, Petrology lab and Dr.A.E. Muthunayagam and was schemes proposed by the Departments/other other modern laboratory received by Prof. K.S. Valdiya, governmental agencies, based mainly on facilities. Chairman, CESS Research conventional techniques, on the other, that too on Council. Prof. K.S. Valdiya a war-footing, without much concern on the long- Sri. E.T. Mohammed Basheer offered falicitations. The Hon’ble term consequences of these interventions. With the released the Silver Jubilee Minister also distributed Silver differing views and conflicting demands the planners Souvenir. The first copy are really a confused lot! Jubilee mementos to two was received by Dr. A.E. members of CESS community. It is in this context the provisions of the CRZ are Muthunayagam. A Silver to be seen. This notification clearly emphasizes the Sri. G.K. Suchindan, Convener, provision of a buffer zone of 200m on the sea Jubilee Compendium entitled CESS Silver Jubilee front and 100m on the tidal water bodies. Having ‘Earth System Science and Celebrations proposed the vote suggested that the new buildings be beyond this line, Natural Resources Management’ of thanks. CRZ provides for the systematic reduction of the containing 28 research density of development near the shoreline, thus creating a buffer. Similarly, in the 200-500 zone of Continued from p. 1 IMPACT OF TSUNAMI ..... the sea coast the density of the development is to be limited to one third of the area and structures causing widespread damages. not have any damage eventhough be of maximum nine metres height. Is it not a clear Inside Sakthikulangara and the runup was up to 3.5m. In protection from hazards by exposing lesser number Neendakara harbour, water level Panikkarkadavu-Cheriyazhikkal of people to coastal hazards and, for those who are left there, having the facility to climb up to save rose to more than 2m above the area no damage was reported in themselves from floods? Are these provisions not ground. Many country boats and spite of a run- up of 4.5m. The providing sufficient space for the fishermen to other fishing vessels were relatively lesser damages in this organize livelihood activities and to have a healthy damaged. uncongested living? By permitting the most essential CORRIGENDUM infrastructure facilities within the CRZ, is it not The Neendakara - Kovilthottam helping in the smooth conduct of life and In the last issue of CESS sector, further north, which is simultaneously easy escape facilities/space for News, the first three rescue operations in the event of a hazard? With well protected by seawall had no lines of the article ‘Model these and other attractive provisions in the CRZ hinderland inundation. North of Master Plan……’ be read what else is required for hazard management in the Kovilthottam, there was a drastic as ‘Ever since Mrs. Gro coastal areas. Why do the planners loose sight of increase in the runup level. A Harlem Brundtland, the these provisions of the CRZ (which are statutory sector of about 1.5 km, north of former Norwegian Prime and not to be violated) and ponder in the dark atleast Minister, in her famous 1987 until a new system is in place? Kovilthottam, evacuated by IREL Dr. M. BABA and KMML for the mining did report on, “Our Common…...” Committed to Our Earth, Our Future 2 area could be due to the better quality INTERNATIONAL TSUNAMI EXPERT VISITS KERALA of house construction. Further north, towards Cheriazhikkal, water level raised Canada, an international expert in to more than 2m and many houses tsunami visited Trivandrum during 10- were completely collapsed or partially 13 February, 2005 on an invitation damaged. In Parayakadavu area, further from Government of Kerala. He north, the severity of attack of tsunami delivered the key note address at the was more and heavy casualties were seminar on ‘Tsunami and Coastal reported. Many deep pits were seen on Protection’ on 11th February at the eastern side of the coastal road. In Trivandrum. He had a discussion with Srayikad area, about 3 km south of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sri. Oommen Kayamkulam inlet, 30 people were killed Chandy on tsunami preaparedness and many houses completely damaged. Dr. Tad Murty, indicating the tsunami for the state. He also addressed a inundation level from signatures on a coconut Majority of those killed were women and trunk in Colachal, Tamil Nadu. press conference and visited some children, who were trapped inside Tsunami affected areas between collapsed houses. Water level rose up to Dr. Tad Murty, Dept. of Civil Kanyakumari to Kayamkulam along 2-3 m along the coastal road. Another Engineering, University of Ottawa, with CESS scientists. notable feature of the tsunami onslaught in the area was the heavy deposit of to tsunami was observed in the addition to washing away of fishing black sand in the sector north of Tharayilkadavu area, which is 4 km gadgets and other damages. In the zone Cheriazhikkal, up to the inlet. The coastal north of the inlet.