My grandfather nearing 90 was evacuated this morning in Thrissur District. We stay close to Conolly Canal (named after HV Conolly, Malabar District Collector who built this in 1848). The canal which seems like a river flows about 100 metres from my house. After my grandpa reached my sister’s house, I spoke to him. What he told me stood in stark contrast to a message that has been circulating recently on social media.
The WhatsApp message floating in the social media says that Kerala ignored Gadgil Committee report regarding deforestation and building in hilly areas and that had its recommendations been followed the flooding would not have happened. This message is incorrect and only partially true.
Had Gadgil committee’s recommendations regarding flouting building norms in hilly tracts and sensitive areas been followed, yes some lives would have definitely been saved in those areas, where landslides occurred. But the rest of Kerala being totally flooded has NO relation to Gadgil Committee. Let me explain.
Our house is located in a village that has not seen much construction in the past 40 years because large tracts of land are held by one family who have allowed the land to remain untouched because they don’t require any income from the land. So there has been no encroachment in this area at all. During the conversation with my grandfather he revealed that he faced a similar situation in 1960 too. That time the flood waters had reached the house. He says it has now repeated after 58 years. Remember in 1960 there were no encroachments and no Gadgil Committee. Such a flood of this severity had come earlier too in 1924, when Mr. Gadgil was not born at all.
Then why did this flooding happen at such severity. The reason is heavy excessive rainfall that is far far greater than normal almost 200%, especially in the catchment areas of dams, forcing the dams to open up. That is the reason Kerala is flooded. Kerala has a relatively decent drainage system. Every year we do have some flooding in low lying areas and the problem compounds during high tides when the water flows inland.
Yes in few areas some people have encroached and built on drainage systems and they are paying a price for it. There is a huge mall in Ernakulam which has encroached on a drainage canal. They have been adequately punished by the rains now, with their cellar parking flooded completely. And so the excessive rains is the reason and not a displeased Lord Ayyapan, Bishop Franco or some Maulvi.
The rescue efforts from the Govt notwithstanding, it is the locals who have been organizing rescues on a massive scale with local resources. I have eye witness accounts how the local population has been rising to the occasion. Temporary relief camps in schools have been set up, and locals are ensuring that everyone is looked after. There are nearly 350,000 people already in shelters in Colleges, Schools, Temples, Mosques and Churches. But that is still inadequate compared to the catastrophe. They require clothing, food, medicines. The Govt require logistical support, boats, machinery, doctors, supplies and volunteers.
The devastation has been huge. The trauma even more. This is the time to stand together with our brothers and sisters in Kerala. Rather than discussing Gadgil report, now is the time to DO YOUR BIT by contributing to NGO’s or the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) https://donation.cmdrf.kerala.gov.in and in case it doesn’t work for you then you may do it through https://www.oxfamindia.org/kerala-floods-2018 or https://goonj.org/contribute/ or https://paytm.com/helpinghand/kerala-cm-s-distress-relief-fund
Let us put our effort to rehabilitate the people who have lost everything. Let our little help make a mighty ocean of love.
Rise up India – This is the time!
So true everyone is ready to fix the blame how about focusing on fixing the problem… very well explained and written so beautifully.
We articulated straight from heart . No blame games required we must assist the people on ground. The situation is very grave as the floods are all encompassing. God save his people from such a huge calamity.
Absolutely. Well said. Keralites are one community who will face this adverserity with huge courage and will be back on their feet very soon. It is ” Gods Own” and God sure will restore it to its natural beauty within no time.All our GOOD WISHES.
Well stated Sajan! To add my bit the excess rains are in conformance to global warming prediction patterns and Kerala with its ultimate combination of rain stopping hills and excellent tree cover will see maximum atmospheric moisture capture through precipitation with the right conditions during monsoons.
It’s time to stop the blame game and focus on not only the task at hand as well as carry out an urgent study of possible future flood mitigation methods based on the current data.
Well said .we need this kind of script to boost up the morale of peolle
Praying for the safety of everyone out there in the hour of the need of Keralities…
Irjnalakuda, I think that was the station we got down at to come to your place Sajan sir, way back in 1999…still remember the boat ride in the now flooded canal behind your home….. Hope the God saves his own country sooner than later….
Well said.