5.8 The Department of Irrigation

1. In order to reduce coastal erosion, the irrigation department should take necessary steps to conduct maintenance and repair works in the sea wall. The disaster response fund should not be used for the construction, maintenance, and reconstruction of the sea wall

2. The areas susceptible to coastal erosion should be identified and informed to the district disaster management authority

3. In case of emergency sand-filled coir sacks/geo tubes should be provided to protect houses near shores, riverbanks, and paddy field bunds in coordination with the Local Self Government department.

4. In case of emergency situations related to coastal erosion, strong wind, and Tsunami the cost incurred for sand-filled coir sacks/geo tubes should be availed from the disaster response fund. The format for the same is given in Handbook on Disaster Management – Volume 2 – Emergency Operations Centres & Emergency Support Functions Plan, Kerala. No expenditure should be done from the disaster response fund for any purpose without a pre-decided rate contract. The tahsildar is the deciding authority of the rate contracts.

5. The water levels for red, orange and blue alerts in all the dams managed by the Irrigation Department and the rule curve mentioning the prerequisites for opening the dam shutters should be informed and permission must be obtained in advance from the district disaster management authorities where the dam is situated and where the dam water flows before June 10th. The dam water should be released only by following this plan.

6. Make sure that there are no obstructions in all the canals, rivers and major streams in the month of May itself. Major stream and drainage systems should be examined in collaboration with the Soil conservation department and Local Self Government department and all the obstructions to rainwater flow should be removed.

7. If it is decided to release water from the dams, the blue alert should be issued and all the District Emergency Operations Centres in the districts through which the released water is supposed to travel must be informed without fail. The department should try to give warnings for at least 36 hours. Prior consent should be obtained from all the district collectors of the districts through which the released water is supposed to travel

8. Make sure that at least 24 hours is given to the district disaster management authorities between the issuing of blue alert and red alert.

9. In those dams only issuing the orange and red alert, make sure that at least 24 hours is given to the district disaster management authorities between the issuing of orange alert and red alert

10. Not all dams have all three warnings (Red, Orange, and Blue). The district disaster management authorities in the districts through which the released dam water is supposed to travel should be informed about the types of an alert issued by each dam

11. Unless the shutter is opened during day time, no dam shutters should be opened between 6 PM in the evening and 6 AM in the morning.

12. Before releasing water from the dams the website of INCOIS should be checked to know the status of high tide or tidal movements. The recommendations should be in consultation with the Engineer in charge of the dam and the officer in charge of the dam.

13. The names of dams that are to be opened at night during unexpected rains are included in Annexure 4. Inform and obtain permission the District Disaster Management Authority before opening water from these dams.

14. An Irrigation department officer not less than the rank of an Assistant Executive Engineer should be posted on the District Emergency Operations Centre 24x7 on a shift basis.

15. Irrigation Engineer assigned by the District EOC shall consult with other officials of the department to determine how much water will rise in each area depending on the water to be discharged from the respective dams. Also, check whether the overflow over will took place.

16. If the river water reaches other districts, inform the District EOC of the district.

17. Observe the warnings issued by the Central Water Commission regarding the flood-prone areas in the district and give information to the State E.OC, District E.O.C, and the local self-government.

18. A siren should be horned based on the E.A.P to make the local people aware of the situation before opening the dam shutters

19. Every dam should publish a pamphlet in Malayalam including things to be known by the local people and local self-government. The pamphlet should include things such as who gives the warning, how the warnings are given, and how they are going to be evacuated during an emergency situation. The details of people residing at lowlands, their safe shelters, transport facilities, and evacuation possibilities should be part of the plan.

20. The powerful pumps under the custody of the Irrigation department in Alappuzha should be checked if they are in working condition before 10-06-2020. Rate contracted should be invited and finalized in the month of May itself for the use of crane or vehicles for the deployment of these pumps based on Ltr. No. 332/2015-NDM-I dated 17th April 2015 from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. Use the rate contracts only if necessary. The format for the same is given in Handbook on Disaster Management – Volume 2 – Emergency Operations Centres & Emergency Support Functions Plan, Kerala. The cost incurred for these activities can be drawn from 2245-02-101-94-Flood-Other items as per GO (Ms) No. 194/2015/DMD dated 20-05-2015, item 4 – Clearance of Affected Areas. For the deployment and transport of these pumps to other districts, prior permission should be obtained from the district disaster management authority.

21. Make sure that the water flow through the Thannermukkam bund is uninterrupted.

22. Help the local self-government in the preparation of the Flood Management Plan. Make sure that the plan of the Irrigation department and the local self-government are in the same direction.

23. The soil sediments should be cleared from the estuaries before May 30 to ensure the outflow of water

24. Make sure that the shutters of the spillways, dams, and barrages are functioning properly and submit a report to the district disaster management authority before 30th May