Needed, a permanent solution [Tamil: Thevai, oru niranthara theervu] Eidtorial, November 07, 2012. Translated by A. Kumaresan, presented by V.B. Ganesan
Needed, a permanent solution [Telugu: Saaswatha parishkaram avasaram] Editorial, November 7, 2012. Translated by V.R. Subrahmanyam, presented by Srinivas Ghantasala
As if the flooding in Andhra Pradesh following the severe cyclonic storm ‘Nilam’ was not bad enough, the State government and the Indian Meteorological Department are now arguing over what actually happened. Was the flood just the aftermath following the landfall of ‘Nilam’ or did a fresh low pressure system ravage coastal Andhra? The State administration has taken on the IMD for not warning it about the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal immediately following the storm but the met office says it did not have any information to share. The other point that has come up is that the department is better equipped to handle the Southwest monsoon and not the Northeast. But the damage has been done and at least eight districts of Andhra Pradesh — with Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam bearing the brunt — were left floating for days before the flood waters drained off. More than the warning or the rains, it is the lack of a proper drainage system along the east coast that led to such a tragedy, claiming over 20 lives and causing extensive damage to property and crops alike. And this damage can be prevented.
This is the sort of question the National Disaster Management Authority should start grappling with. NDMA teams visited the coastal States ahead of the monsoon and reviewed the preparedness of the administration in each of them. When the floods were in full flow, special teams of trained experts were there to rescue people and provide relief. The entire coast along the Bay, from Tamil Nadu to Odisha, and even parts of West Bengal, are vulnerable to storms and cyclones every year. The super cyclone that hit Odisha in 1999 and the 1977 floods that played havoc in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh ought to have taught enough lessons to the authorities. Unfortunately, neither the Centre nor the States seem to have responded in the way they should have. Instead of spending thousands of crores every year on compensation and flood relief, the Centre and the coastal States would do well to invest in permanent solutions, which include a proper drainage system for the flood waters to empty into the sea. All natural avenues for drainage have been blocked over the decades and must be reactivated. The Monsoon Mission that the Centre cleared about six months ago must be implemented at least before the 2013 season. The blame game and haggling over compensation does not help anybody. The NDMA has already laid down the basic framework that must now be implemented.
Keywords: Andhra Pradesh floods, Cyclone Nilam, Nilam aftermath, northwest monsoon, Andhra Pradesh government, disaster management, IMD, Met department, weather forecast, cyclone forecast, flood warning
sir, this is all due to ineffeciency of our departments.every year there is damage for
crops, houses and lives but clear administrative failure is evident.since there is no
accountability or severe punishment for any failure,indifference,lethargy on the
part of staff even at the time of need is present in the system.imagine how
Singapore ,a small island is withstanding heavy and frequent rains throughout the
year because of perfect drainage system.if it is like INdia it would have submerged
in the ocean. when will our government learn and improve the basic amenities for
the common man.?streets with potholes ,man holes,etc. ViP visit other countries
often in the name of development technology at the tax payers money. simply
making jalsa.shame.IMD or NMd all waste.no timely precautions or guidance
What the above article suggests is a Clear Administrative Failure. The bureaucratic system should wake up at least now. Having said that the situations like this are tentative to occur every year this time, the government institutions should have taken pro-active steps.
The met Department should concentrate now to improve the machinery so that it can have the info about the North East Monsoons as well.
Re-habilitation programmes should be quick enough to bring the disaster back to Normal.
NDMA must have lot to learn in situations like these. We just got to strengthen our Institutions & achieve proper co-ordination so that the Administration would be efficient.
A good editorial. Really its shocking to see the authorities playing the blame game every single time something happens. I live in Chennai and the main highways here also turn into little rivers even after one day of rain leading to all types of communication woes. Though lots of work has been going on since last year, the situation has not improved much. Just hoping that they will make the drainage systems better before the rains in 2013.
it is very disheartening to see everywhere in India the our own blame game. we waste our energy in what we could have done rather on focusing on building the system to prevent disaster further damaging the resources.
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