Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) allegedly failed in acting upon serious warnings of heavy rains in Kerala last month, as it made no effort to repair two Doppler radars in the state despite complaints from the Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) early last month. The radars generate velocity data about objects at a distance.
Official documents show that the KSDMA had requested the repair of crucial devices kept in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The request was made before rains had started gaining volume on August 8 and 9. No immediate action followed, according to documents. It finally took the intervention of the National Disaster Management Authority in Delhi to get the two radars functional on August 10.
Doppler radars play a critical role in analysing atmosphere in relation to weather and accordingly rainfall for the coming days are forecast. The weather offices at different cities subsequently put out the data on their websites. In Kerala, such information is part of the input for the KSDMA to take precautionary measures and send out public alerts, including those on opening of dams.
As the Doppler radar in Kochi had not been working properly since August 2 and the IMD relied completely on its device in Thiruvananthpuram. However, within six days, that one in the capital city too conked out. This led the KSDMA to file a complaint with the IMD director-general.
The IMD conceded that the Kochi radar had gone dysfunctional, but claimed the device in Thiruvananthapuram could offset the handicap. By August 8, when that alternative became impossible, the KSDMA filed a complaint, along with relevant images, to its apex body in the country. The Delhi authority recommended for earliest repair to the Doppler radars.
The two devices became fully operational on August 10 at 3.55pm, according to IMD. By then, the state witnessed downpours in several parts.
Last week the IMD had stated that it had issued accurate warnings to Kerala promptly. It even said documentary evidence is available for the timely alerts.
Forecast failure
The weather office in Thiruvananthapuram also failed in giving prior alert on ‘very heavy rains’ (measuring 20 cm or above in 24 hours). The first half of August had reported ‘very heavy rains’ from several parts of the state, but the official alert came only on August 15 by then signs of a deluge was clearly visible.
Even in its August 15 alert, the Met warned of ‘very heavy rains’ in just the hilly districts of Idukki and Wayanad. But Wayanad ended up not receiving the predicted volume, but Idukki got 27cm rain that day. Two places that recorded maximum rains last month in Kerala had not received the forecast of ‘very heavy rain’. One was Malappuram district’s Nilambur (39.8cm on August 9) and the other was Peerumade (34.9 cm on August 16), a hill station in Idukki district.
At least three other places experienced ‘very heavy rain’ without prior warning: Karipur (Malapuram district), Mananthavady (Wayanad) and Wadakanchery (Thrissur).
Minister’s defence
Kerala water resources minister Mathew T Thomas reiterated that the state’s dams played no role in the deluge even as the authorities lifted shutters for a few days in the third week of August. “Vested interests” were spreading “rumours” against him on the matter in the state assembly and outside, he claimed, disagreeing with the view that lifting of sluice gates added to the floods.
Incessant downpour on par with the Great Flood of 1924 alone led to the floods this time, the minister maintained. “The water resources department has 16 dams under it. They have the capacity to hold a mere 2.6 per cent of the overall capacity of the state’s total number of reservoirs,” he said. “Moreover, most of these dams were opened as early as June and July," he added.
