Karnataka prepares for monsoon challenge along with the pandemic

Bengaluru: As the monsoon is intensifying in Karnataka, the state government is getting ready for a twin challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as floods and landslides.

The revenue department has implemented an action plan devised using past experiences, stakeholders’ expectations and best practices across the country. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed its rescue team in vulnerable areas of flood-prone areas. Manoj Rajan, the commissioner of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), said, “We have deployed four NDRF teams in Kodagu, Raichur, Belagavi and Dakshina Kannada. We have more than 200 trained SDRF personnel who will be deployed to other flood-prone districts as and when required.”

The monsoon entered the state on June 5 after the cycling Tauktae triggered good pre-monsoon rain.

This year, the state has two new flood protection panels that can be deployed during floods.

A micro-level plan has been devised in 913 vulnerable gram panchayats of 13 districts. Rajan also said, “Community participation and utilisation of local resources as first responders are the focus.” He said that the group will mark landslide areas on the map and make plans to prevent the landslides. They have begun their rounds with flood advisories, informing residents how to protect themselves and others and to stay safe.

Also, there is integrated dam management to effectively coordinate with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A senior revenue department official said, “Water release from reservoirs is regulated taking into account rainfall forecast, possible inflows to reservoirs, and carrying capacity if the river downstream. This will reduce flooding of downstream villages along the banks of the river. We had a preparedness meeting with all stakeholders.”

The Indian Meteorology Department has warned that several parts of the state including northern Karnataka can be flooded due to heavy rainfall, whereas, some districts of Malnad and Coastal Karnataka are prone to landslides.

Since 2018, every monsoon has experienced floods and landslides. Almost 100 people and 1,000 livestock are destroyed annually. Ravi Prakash M, a social scientist in disaster management, said, “The government usually comes up with an action plan every year but deaths and destruction have not abated. It should focus on saving people and livestock.”

Last year, due to a massive landslide in Talacauvery, the birthplace of river Cauvery near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, five people including the chief priest of Sri Cauvery Temple died.