Arun Said:
I had written to govt. for taking steps to correct the situation, but it is more eager to take action for pointing this out. Original letter is attached-
BIJU PATNAIK STATE POLICE ACADEMY, BHUBANESWAR.
No.142/BPSPA.Con-III Dated 23.9.2008
From-A.K. Upadhyay, IPS,
DIG(Trg.), Orissa, Bhubaneswar.
To-Shri Aurobindo Behera, IAS,
Principal Secretary to Govt. of Orissa,
Water Resources Department, Bhubaneswar.
Sub-Short and long term measures for flood control in Orissa.
Ref-Publications about neglect in tathya.in and SANDRP (both attached).
Sir,
Through you, I wish to congratulate people and leaders of all parties in Orissa who ignored political differences to handle human misery in the unprecedented floods without any central help. After the govt of Orissa has ably given food and shelter to 3 million marooned persons, it is now time to take short and long term measures to prevent such disaster in future
I had written thesis and articles on Land-Water management as IFS (Punjab-1974) officer and had done management of Punjab-shelterwood system and Jamanwala-Cho in Hoshiarpur district in 1976 which is still a model for world in flood management. In 1980, as ASP, Hirakud, I had occasion to watch management of Hirakud dam. Flood relief by Marwadi community had led to anti-marwadi agitation that year. Then, in 1981, I did M.Sc. (Math) from Utkal University with specialization in Fluid Mechanics which included seepage dams, siltation and flood models.
There are sufficient studies in Orissa itself and many works all over the world. In addition to theoretical models, history of Huang-ho (Yellow river or Sita-Ganga) in China where side dams over 4000 years raised the level of river bed by 27 meters above ground and their breaking in 1867 killed more than 1 million people. This example is important as Dalei-ghai has raised the river level in Mahanadi delta above level of villages.
In that context, I suggest these short term measures-
(1) Maintaining 17.5 feet higher water level than level recommended by rule curve in 1988 and report in August,2007. Action against defaulters.
(2) A minimum margin of 5 feet below danger level of 630 feet has to be kept (maximum allowed level is 625 feet). But authorities waited till voting started on 19.9.2008 for municipal elections and allowed the level to reach 629.80 feet. Democracy does not mean that life of people loses its value after casting their votes. Criminal case for the loss of lives.
(3) Central Water Commission which has regional branch near Orissa Secretariat itself slept till 19.9.2008 when flood has already come. For neglect in flood forecasting, action may be taken against them.
(4) The polythene sheets purchased in 1999 super cyclone were never used and there was a vigilance case against Sri D.N. Padhi, IAS for that defalcation. Subsequently, he was rewarded for the lapse by giving post retirement job of Chief Information Commissioner. Due to such reward, no polythene sheets were given to people marooned from homes.
(5) In 1999, NGO’s from other states and Marwadi community in Orissa had done their duty as Oriyas in giving relief. But, due to coming elections they were afraid of giving relief due to anti-Marwadi agitation as in 1980.
Long Term measures-
(1) Periodical short bursts of water to clear siltation in reservoir-as per Russian model. Siltation has reduced storage capacity from 5.818 to 4.647 BCM (Billion cubic meters and CWC is unaware about this flood cushion capacity.
(2) Free channel should be given for water flow with minimum obstruction by bridges, roads and side dams (levee, Ghai etc). Lowest regions should be kept free for flood discharge. In that situation, flood is beneficial for agricultural fields. Dalei ghai cannot be corrected now, but further embankments should not be made which raise river level higher than towns and villages.
Yours faithfully,
(A.K. Upadhyay)
Copy to Chief Secretary/Central Water Commission for information.
(A.K. Upadhyay)
Posted On 9/29/2008 5:07:44 PM