RISE! LET'S RAISE - GOD'S OWN COPS SCRIPTING A YOUNG HISTORY
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GOD’S OWN COPS SCRIPTING A YOUNG HISTORY
` 12/- 2018 SEPTEMBER 01
www.prd.kerala.gov.in
RISE! LET’S RAISE 1
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling
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MARCH 2018 2018
kerala calling SEPTEMBER www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling
editorial
AUGUST WILL NOT BE THE CRUELLEST
MONTH ANY LONGER
A
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.
The 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
keralacalling@gmail.com 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 anilraj.designer@gmail.com PRINTING Orange Printers Pvt Ltd.,Thiruvananthapuram
Cover Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
4
inSide
06 TOGETHER
WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister
18 DEFENDING
LIVES
Dhanya Sanal K Spokesperson,
Defence Ministry
10 RING OUT THE OLD,
RING IN THE NEW
Dr.V.K.Ramachandran Vice Chairman, 24 THE FLOOD
FACTS AND FACTORS
Kerala State Planning Board Dr.Manoj M.G Research Scientist,
Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research,
12 GOD’S Cochin University of Science and Technology
OWN COPS
30 CAUSES OF THE WORST
RAINFALL
16 FIRE AND
RESCUE
Ajith Lawrence Associated Press Correspondent,
Specialisation- Science,Environment,Disaster Migration
and Sociology
Responses may be sent to mail:
EDITORIAL MATERIALS keralacalling@gmail.com
Articles/features appearing in this magazine are either commisioned or assigned.
Neverthless, other articles are also welcome. A maximum of 750 wordage is appreciated.
Such items
kerala should SEPTEMBER
calling be addressed2018to www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling
The Editor, Kerala Calling, First Floor, Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram Pin 695001
VIEWS
expressed in the articles published in Kerala Calling are not,
necessarily, those of the government. Kerala Calling welcomes free
expression of divergent views and exchange of ideas through its pages.
5
36 SCRIPTING
A YOUNG HISTORY
Yamini Nair Senior Assistant Editor,
46 Nick Ut
Stands by Kerala
Hindustan Times
CLIMATE CHANGE
THE SALT OF
40 47
CAUSED THE
HUMAN KINDNESS FLOODS :
Ignatius Pereira Antonio Guterres
44 FLOOD 1924
Muralee Thummarukudy
Operations Manager, Post-conflict and Disaster 49
HISTORIC
ACHIEVEMENTS
Sanil P Thomas
Management Branch Accredited reporter for Jakarta
United Nations Environment Programme Asian Games
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First floor, Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram 695001 Total number of pages: 48 + Cover
keralacalling@gmail.com 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.
6
TOGETHER
WE BUILD
A BETTER
KERALA
kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling
A
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
support 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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling
TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
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
9
new Kerala’. We will build a
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
keralacalling@gmail.com 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
G
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
an 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/keralacallingparts 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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
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”
T
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
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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
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
12.08.2018
2,982
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
14
kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacallingwith 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
system available to understand the levels of problems
SOOFI, THE SAVIOUR
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
850 vehicles were deployed during peak rescue work 15
in the towel told them that he is T.M.Soofi, SI of
between 14th and 25th august. On 23rd 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.
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER 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.
A
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
buoys, 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/keralacalling17 keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala calling
TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA Dhanya Sanal K Spokesperson, Defence Ministry
DEFENDING
18
LIVES
The advent of the Defence Forces induced a
new lease of life to the rescue operations
kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling19
W
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
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.
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER 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
20
kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacallingcourse 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
21
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
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/keralacallingLanba, 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.
23
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER 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
FACTS AND FACTORS
24
T
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
or 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/keralacallingSeveral 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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
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
bright red patches show very heavy rainfall greater than 11.5 cm.
quantum of rainfall.
(Courtesy: India Meteorological Department)
kerala calling SEPTEMBER 2018 www.prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacallingCulprits erosion, encroachments in the flood climate variability. However, the
plains, etc. have reduced the carrying Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate 27
Kerala is the third densely populated
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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
28
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/keralacalling29
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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER 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/keralacallingOut 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 envi-
ronmentally 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
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER KERALA
32
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/keralacallingTherefore 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.
keralacalling@gmail.com SEPTEMBER 2018 kerala callingTOGETHER 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/keralacallingYou can also read
