Lessons to be learnt from Kerala Floods

It is worst of the floods in the century. We all should provide whole-hearted support to people of Kerala at this juncture without wasting any time. But we also analyse the reasons of such disasters. We have a habit of forgetting easily and keep the problems to mound, once life is normal.

The situation has worsened after massive release of waters from the dam. It is high time, we start thinking about the efficacy of dams itself. We have learnt that dams are constructed to regulate the flow of river, keeping the excess water during rains in reservoirs and utilising the reserved water during lean season. If the recent history of floods across the country is analysed that dams generally release water during excessive rains. This only aggravates the crisis. Why does the dams have inadequate storing capacity? Do they really provide water during drought?

It is high time, a team of independent technical personnel drawn from various institutes like IISc, IIT, IIM is entrusted the task of efficacy of these dams.

Meanwhile, massive desilting operations be taken up increase the water holding capacity of these reservoirs. Following suggestions coming from several experts in this area may also be considered:

• Massive afforestation in hills and banks of river. Large trees can absorb significant part of rainfall and release it through roots improving the ground water.
• Building small ponds surrounded by trees in upstream of the river to conserve rainwater.
• Building small water-bodies in the hinterland. This will help in keeping temperatures cool in summer season apart from preserving the rainwater.
• Plantation of trees on roadside and banks of water-bodies will help prevent landslide.
• Maintenance of proper sewerage, specially in hilly regions to help easy pass through for water to flow down instead of breaking the road.

These are only suggestions and experts should provide the opinion. We must be open to all the ideas coming various quarters instead of following just the time-tested one. We must realise that silt of stagnant water in reservoirs built near dams tend to settle down, which reduces the depth of the reservoirs. Further, the dust in the wind also settle down on the wet bed of the river downstream as there is little flow during the lean season. The effect on the carrying capacity of rivers and reservoirs due to dams must be considered by the experts. Hence the suggestion for independent experts away from the administration.