Meloor panchayat to prepare plan to face disasters

Kochi: For the first of its kind by a local body in Kerala, Meloor panchayat in Thrissur district, located along the banks of Chalakudy river, is preparing a flood preparedness plan for the area. The civic body has sought the technical support of SCMS Water Institute to develop an early warning system, map the areas based on flood level and change agricultural practices as per vulnerability of areas. The plan can be a role-model for other local bodies which were worst hit by flood.

The panchayat is surrounded by the river and water from it inundated 16 of the 17 wards in the recent floods.

Using GIS mapping, zones will be identified on basis of flood risk. Inundation maps at various water levels in the river will be prepared for ready reference. It also seeks to identify optimum evacuation routes for various levels of inundation and suitable locations for relief camps. A proper communication system for early warning and coordinating relief operations is also in the works.

The panchayat will also develop agricultural risk maps for different types of crops.

“Datasets will be collected from various sources,” said Dr. Sunny George, director of SCMS Water Institute. “We shall get rainfall data from IMD and Agricultural Research station, Chalakudy, river flow data from Central Water Commission monitoring stations and topological maps from Survey of India and satellite data from ISRO.”

SCMS Water Institute and students of M.Tech environmental engineering at SCMS School of Engineering and Technology, Karukutty, are conducting the study to develop the flood preparedness plan.  “A detailed survey will be carried out using a smart phone app-based questionnaire.  The flood water level and spatial extent will be documented through the survey along with the duration of flood and rate of water level increase during the period,” said Dr. George. Well water and soil samples will be collected from affected zones for analysis.

“Apart from the preparedness plan, the panchayat also plans to constitute a local level rescue team,” said P.P Babu, panchayat president. “Training will be provided to a group of young people who were active in rescue works. Necessary equipment for rescue operation will also be procured.”