I write this note based on my vast experience in handling flood/cyclone rescue relief operations — to start with 1978-79 and later in 80s. I wrote an official brochure on this in 1979 which was published by the Home Department and with a foreword by the then DGP. When it comes to dealing with natural calamities, the whole focus should be on planned preparedness.
We have two sets on monsoon, the South West from June to September every year and the North East from October to December, but what is relevant for us in terms of natural calamities is only the North East monsoon as the South West Monsoon mostly operates only in the northern districts sometimes and in Kanyakumari district.
We know that the North East monsoon has its spell from October to December. While we cannot prevent nature’s sway, what is important is be prepared for it the important focus must be to save lives and not just properties.
The effect of the North East low depression turning into a cyclone and affecting Chennai and other northern districts Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and in some years Kanyakumari. But then the flood situation is very prevalent in the Central Districts like Tiruchy, Pudukottai, Thanjavur etc. where we have the Cauvery River likely to be in spate after a cloud burst as it happened in 1978.
What is important is planned preparedness and application of Civil Defence concepts relating to rescue, relief and rehabilitation. Civil Defence is well-known as a defence of citizens by themselves as in enemy, air raid operations.
Since it involves planned preparedness we must start working even from June normally and make the Director of Civil Defences as the Nodal Officer to coordinate things with the other Departments.
There must be a State Flood Control centre with extensive communication facilities in the form of VHF and other sophisticated Police Communication systems
Similarly in all the areas likely to be affected, in any case in the respective District Headquarters and in sensitive areas, we should have our own communication systems with a major point of communication linking the MET Office.
A series of coordination meetings must be arranged from now onwards along with the Revenue, Civil Supplies, Health and, wherever called for, Panchayat Union BDOs. An integrated Aid unit at the strategic locations consisting of the officials from all the Departments must be evolved.
There must be a proper rehabilitation centres in the sense that people from low lying areas should be moved well in advance and accommodated in those rehabilitation centres which have to be identified well in advance instead of a last minute mad rush. Similarly, the stock of food articles and facilities to cook etc., should be positioned well in advance.
So far as rescue operations are concerned, to begin with we must position dingy boats and swimmers ready to save the people from low lying areas. The low lying areas must be cleaned up and maintained on a war footing in terms of raising the level clearing up the storm water drainage
So far as communications are concerned, police communication system is the best and hence we need to ensure all the towers are maintained properly and attuned to the situation. A special officer for each of these places including headquarters must be lined up.
The MET office reports should be promptly got and communicated to the field Units. DSRs should be sent by 6pm each day not only on the situation so far but also possible eventualities as assessed by MET Office. The post rescue operations in the rehabilitation centres should maintained hygienically and every effort should be made to prevent epidemics.
Except in very exceptional cases, policemen should maintain full strength during this period and vehicles maintained in a fit condition. In the event of Army assistance being needed we should have a team of Liaison Officers to coordinate the operations with the Army. The state helicopter, if maintained in an airworthy condition, should be at the disposal of the DG along with pilots for operations during VIPs visit and for dropping rations in inaccessible areas.
(The writer is a former DGP of Tamil Nadu)
