DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A Case Study of Flood in Kerala, 2018

Submitting for the partial fulfilment for the degree of Bachelor of Arts
SESSION: 2023-24

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Tabish Rub Dr. Saleha Jamal
21GGBOA346 (Associate Prof.)
GM9609 Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba
(Assistant Prof.)

Department of GeoGraphy
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh, U.P, 202002

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 Acknowledgement

Almighty ALLAH, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate, is the
source of all wisdom and knowledge. It is through his grace and guidance
that we can embark upon my academic pursuits and complete them
successfully.
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Jabir
Hasan Khan, the Chairperson of Geography department, for his unwavering
support and mentorship throughout this project.
I am indebted to Associate Professor Dr. Saleha Jamal for her invaluable
support and guidance in completing this report. Her dedication to my project
has motivated me to strive for academic excellence, and I am grateful for her
unwavering support throughout the process. I express my deepest
appreciation for her contributions to our academic growth and success.
I thank my teacher Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba, whose wisdom, knowledge, and
encouragement inspired us to undertake this project. Their unwavering
guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping my ideas and
refining my work.

TABISH RUB

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 LIST OF CONTENTS

Contents Page
1. Introduction to Disaster Management 04
2. Hazard 05-06
3. Disaster 07-16
4. Difference between Disaster and Hazard 17
5. Disaster Preparedness 18-20
6. Introduction to Kerala Flood, 2018 21-22
7. Study Area 22-23
8. Causes of Kerala Flood 24-25
9. Impact of Kerala Flood 26-27
10. Response and Mitigation 27-28
11. Suggestions for Precaution 28
12. Conclusion 29
13. Bibliograph

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 INTRODUCTION OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster Management refers to reduce the intensity or the effects of any natural hazard.
It is a preparedness management to protect the life of organisms either it is living or
non-living. It includes several activities to minimize the impact of disasters on people,
environment and property.

Disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid the potential losses from hazards,
assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and
effective recovery. The Disaster management cycle illustrates the on-going process by
which governments, businesses, and civil society plan for and reduce the impact of
disasters, react during and immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover
after a disaster has occurred.

Disasters can be caused by natural events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricane,

wildfires, and volcanic eruptions or by human-made events such as terrorist attacks,
industrial accidents, and cyberattacks. Regardless of the cause, effective disaster
management requires a coordinated effort among multiple stakeholders, including
government agencies, emergency responders, non-governmental organisations, and
the affected population.

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The process of disaster management includes several phases, including risk
assessment, disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery. Risk
assessments are to estimate possible economic, infrastructure, and social impacts
arising from a particular hazard or multiple hazards. Three components are usually
considered when assessing risk and probable loss: exposure, hazard, and vulnerability.
Disaster preparedness involves developing plans and procedures for responding to
disasters, as well as conducting training and drills to ensure that stakeholders are
prepared to implement these plans. Emergency response involves mobilizing resources
to address immediate needs, such as search and rescue, medical care, and shelter.
Recovery involves restoring infrastructure and services, as well as supporting affected
individuals and communities in rebuilding their lives.

HAZARD
A hazard is a condition or situation that has the capacity to cause harm or damage to
people, property, or the environment. Hazards can be natural, such as earthquakes,
hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions, or they can be human made, such
as chemical spills, transportation accidents, and explosions.

Hazards can range from relatively minor risks, such as slipping on a wet floor, to major
threats, such as a nuclear accident or a pandemic. Hazards can also have different
levels of predictability, frequency, and severity, influencing how they are managed and
mitigated.

Effective hazard management involves identifying and assessing potential hazards, as

well as implementing measures to prevent, reduce, or control their impact. This can
include measures such as emergency planning, public awareness campaigns, hazard
mitigation infrastructure, and early warning systems. The goal of hazard management is
to minimize the risk of harm or damage to people, property, and the environment and to
enable effective response and recovery in the event of a hazard becoming a disaster.

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TYPES OF NATURAL HAZARDS
There are many types of natural hazards that can occur. Some of the types of natural
hazards are as follows:

1. Geological Hazards: These hazards are related to the Earth’s geological processes,
such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and sinkholes.

2. Hydrological Hazards: These hazards are water-related and include floods, flash
floods, and tsunamis.

3. Climatological Hazards: These hazards are related to long term climate patterns
and include heat waves, cold waves, and wildfires.

4. Biological Hazards: These hazards are related to living organisms and include
disease outbreaks, insect infestations, and animal attacks.

5. Meteorological Hazards: These hazards are related to weather and atmospheric

conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods, and droughts.

Natural hazards have cascading effects, which means one hazard can trigger another,
such as earthquakes causing landslides and floods or hurricanes causing storm surges
and flooding.

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 DISASTER
A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society
involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts,
which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources. Disasters can be caused by naturally occurring events, such as earthquakes,
hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes, or they can be due to man-made events, either
accidental (such as an accidental toxic spill or nuclear power plant event), or
deliberately caused (such as various terrorist bombings and poisonings).

Disasters can have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and societies, and
they can disrupt the normal functioning of critical infrastructure and services such as
healthcare, transportation, communication, and energy supply. Disasters can lead to
loss of life, displacement of populations, damage to property, and long-term economic
and social consequences.

Effective disaster management involves preparing for, responding to, and recovering
from disasters in a coordinated and timely manner, with the goal of minimizing the
impact on people, property, and the environment. This can include measures such as

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risk assessment, disaster preparedness planning, emergency response, and post-
disaster recovery and reconstruction.

TYPES OF DISASTER
1. Natural disasters

2. Man-made/ Anthropogenic disaster

NATURAL DISASTERS:

❖ EARTHQUAKE
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 ➢ An earthquake is a phenomenon that occurs without warning and involves
violent shaking of the ground and everything over it.
➢ It results from the release of accumulated stress of the moving lithospheric or
crustal plates.
➢ The earth's crust is divided into seven major plates, that are about 50 miles
thick, which move slowly and continuously over the earth's interior and several
minor plates.
➢ Earthquakes are tectonic in origin; that is the moving plates are responsible for
the occurrence of violent shakes.
➢ The occurrence of an earthquake in a populated area may cause numerous
casualties and injuries as well as extensive damage to property.
➢ Earthquakes can have devastating effects on human communities, causing
damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
➢ They can also cause landslides, tsunamis, and other secondary hazards.
Earthquakes can be unpredictable and can occur without warning, making it
important for communities in earthquake-prone areas to have preparedness
plans in place.

❖ CYCLONE
➢ Cyclone is natural phenomenon that refers to a large-scale system of winds
that rotates around a centre of low atmospheric pressure.

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 ➢ Cyclones can be classified into different categories based on wind speed and
intensity. In different parts of the world, they may be called hurricanes,
typhoons, or tropical cyclones.
➢ Cyclones form over warm ocean waters, and they are fuelled by the
evaporation of seawater, which provides energy to the system.
➢ As the cyclone intensifies, the winds around the centre can reach extremely
high speeds, causing damage to structures and infrastructure. Heavy rainfall
and storm surges are also common with cyclones, which can lead to flooding
and landslides.
➢ Cyclones can have a significant impact on human communities, causing
damage to homes, business, and infrastructure, as well as to crops and
livestock. They can also be dangerous to people and animals, as the strong
winds and heavy rains can cause injury or death. It is important for
communities in cyclone-prone areas to have preparedness plans, including
evacuation plans and emergency supplies.

❖ FLOOD
➢ A flood is generally defined as the overflow of large amounts of water on the
earth's surface, causing destruction.
➢ Floods can occur due to many reasons like because of strong rains, incoming
waves from the ocean, or the failure of dams or levees.

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 ➢ Floods can happen suddenly or gradually over a long period and can last up
to many days or weeks or even longer, depending upon the type and extent of
the flood.
➢ Out of all the natural disasters, floods are the most common, seen all over
the country at certain times.
➢ Floods can cause significant damage to homes, businesses, and
infrastructure, as well as to crops and livestock.
➢ They can also be dangerous to people and animals, as floodwaters can be
fast-moving and carry debris, toxins, and infectious agent.

❖ DROUGHT
➢ When an area experiences a prolonged period of below-average
precipitation, resulting in a shortage of water for crops, livestock, and human
consumption.
➢ Droughts can be caused by variety of factors, including changes in climate
pattern, weather conditions such as prolonged high temperature overuse of
water resources, and natural events such as El Nino. Droughts can have
serious economic, social, and environmental consequences.
➢ They can cause crop failures, livestock losses, and water shortages, which
can lead to food and water insecurity, as well as financial losses for farmers,
ranchers, and other industries that rely on water.
➢ Droughts can also lead to soil erosion, wildfires, and environmental
problems, which can have long-term impacts on ecosystems and
biodiversity.

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 ➢ In severe cases, droughts can lead to social unrest and displacement of
populations.

❖ LANDSLIDES
➢ A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth
down a slope. Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any
down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.
➢ The term "landslide" encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls,
topples, slides, spreads, and flows.
➢ These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material (bedrock,
debris, or earth). Debris flows (commonly referred to as mudflows or
mudslides) and rock falls are examples of common landslide types. Almost
every landslide has multiple causes.
➢ Slope movement occurs when forces acting down-slope (mainly due to
gravity) exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope.
➢ Causes include factors that increase the effects of down-slope forces and
factors that contribute to low or reduced strength.
➢ Landslides can be initiated in slopes already on the verge of movement by
rainfall, snowmelt, changes in water level, stream erosion, changes in ground
water, earthquakes, volcanic activity, disturbance by human activities, or any
combination of these factors.
➢ Earthquake shaking and other factors can also induce landslides underwater.
These landslides are called submarine landslides.

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 ➢ Submarine landslides sometimes cause tsunamis that damage coastal
areas.

❖ HAILSTORM
➢ Any thunderstorm through which hail is produced and reaches the ground is
known as a hailstorm.
➢ Hail has a diameter of 5 mm (0.20 in) or more and can grow to 15 cm (6 in)
and weighs more than 0.5 kilograms. In contrast to ice pellets, a hailstone is
stratified and can be irregular and clustered together.
➢ Hail consists of transparent ice and alternating layers of transparent and
translucent ice at least 1 mm (0.039 in) thick, which are laid down upon the
hailstone as it travels through the clouds, held off above by air with strong
upward motion until its weight exceeds the updraft and falls to the ground.
➢ Hailstorms can be dangerous to people and animals, as the falling hailstones
can cause injury or even death. They can also cause damage to homes and
vehicles, such as broken windows, dented roofs, and smashed windshields.
➢ It is important for individuals in hailstormprone areas to take precautions,
such as staying indoors during a storm and covering their vehicles and
property with protective materials.
➢ Hailstorm can occur in any part of the world but are more common in areas
with a higher frequency of thunderstorms, such as in the central and
southern regions of the United States.

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 ❖ VOLCANIC ERUPTION
➢ Volcanic eruptions are powerful geological events that occur when magma,
gases, and volcanic materials are expelled from beneath the Earth's surface
through volcanic vents or fissures.
➢ These eruptions can vary greatly in their intensity, duration, and impact on
the surrounding environment.
➢ Understanding the dynamics of volcanic eruptions is essential for assessing
the associated hazards, implementing effective mitigation measures, and
ensuring the safety of nearby populations.
➢ Volcanic eruptions are primarily caused by the movement of magma from
deep within the Earth's mantle towards the surface. This magma can
originate from sources such as mantle plumes, subduction zones, or rift
zones.
➢ As magma rises towards the surface, it encounters decreasing pressure and
may begin to melt surrounding rocks, leading to the formation of magma
chambers beneath the Earth's crust. When the pressure within these
chambers exceeds the strength of the overlying rocks, magma is forcibly
expelled through volcanic vents, resulting in an eruption.
➢ The nature and intensity of volcanic eruptions can vary depending on several
factors, including the composition of the magma, the presence of volatile
gases, and the characteristics of the volcanic vent.

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 ➢ Effusive eruptions, characterized by the relatively gentle outflow of lava onto
the Earth's surface, are typically associated with low-viscosity magma, such
as basaltic lava.
➢ In contrast, explosive eruptions involve the violent ejection of volcanic gases,
ash, and pyroclastic material into the atmosphere.
➢ These eruptions can generate volcanic plumes, pyroclastic flows, ashfall,
and lahars, posing significant hazards to nearby populations and
infrastructure.
➢ Volcanic eruptions can have devastating impacts, including widespread
destruction of property, loss of life due to pyroclastic flows and ashfall, and
long-term environmental effects such as climate change and agricultural
disruption.

MAN-MADE/ ANTHROPOGENIC DISASTER

Man-made hazards are events or situations caused by human activities and can cause
harm or damage to the environment or human health. Man-made hazards include:

❖ INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS: These can include explosions, fires, and toxic gas
release from factories or chemical plants.
❖ NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS: These can include events such as the Chernobyl
disaster or Fukushima nuclear accident.

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 ❖ TERRORISM: Acts of terrorism can cause damage to infrastructure and loss of
life, including attacks on transportation systems, public buildings, and public
gatherings.
❖ OIL SPILLS: Accidental or intentional oil spills from oil tankers, pipelines, or
offshore drilling rigs can cause damage to marine ecosystems, as well as to
human health and the economy.
❖ DEFORESTATION: The clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, or other
purposes can have long-term impacts on biodiversity, soil erosion and climate
change.
❖ CYBER-ATTACKS: This can include hacking, malware, and other forms of cyber-
crime, which can cause damage to computer systems, financial loss, and
compromise of personal data.
❖ CLIMATE CHANGE: Human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation have contributed to the warming of the Earth’s climate. Which can
cause extreme weather events and other environmental impacts.

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 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAZARD AND DISASTER
The main difference between hazard and disaster is that hazard is a dangerous situation
or event that poses a threat to humans while disaster is an event that harms human’s
life, property and thus disrupts social activities.

A hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effects, while a disaster is an

actual event that causes significant damage, destruction, and loss of life or property.

A hazard is a condition or situation that can potentially cause harm or adverse effects,
such as a hazardous material, a natural phenomenon like an earthquake or flood, or a
human made condition like a faulty electrical system. Hazards can exist in any
environment and may or may not result in a disaster.

On the other hand, a disaster is the actual occurrence of a hazard that causes
significant damage, destruction, and loss of life or property. Disaster can be caused by
natural events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, landslides, or by human-made
events such as terrorist attacks, industrial accidents, and civil unrest.

Effective disaster management involves identifying and assessing hazards, developing

plans and procedures for responding to disasters, and implementing those plans in a
coordinated and timely manner. The goal of disaster management is to minimize the
impact of disasters on people, property, and the environment.

A hazardous, Event Vulnerable

Geophysical or Population
DISASTER
Human such as a
Volcano or Cyclone Human or Economic
Loss

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 DISASTER PREPAREDENESS
Disaster preparedness consists of a set of measures undertaken in advance by
governments, organisations, communities, or individuals to better respond and cope
with the immediate aftermath of a disaster, whether it be human-induced or caused by
natural hazards. In simple words disaster preparedness minimizes the impact of natural
or man-made disasters. Here are some disaster preparedness tips:

DURING DISASTER

• Stay informed: Keep up to date with local news and weather reports and follow
instructions from emergency services.
• Have an emergency plan: Create a plan with your family or community that
include evacuation routes, meeting places, and contact information.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Include items such as non-perishable food, water,
first-aid supplies, batteries, flashlights and radio.
• Secure your home: Make sure your home is well-built and protected from
potential hazards such as flooding or strong winds. Secure furniture and
appliances to prevent them from toppling over during an earthquake.
• Have important documents and information easily accessible: Keep copies
of important documents, such as passports, insurance policies, and medical
records, in a waterproof that is easily accessible.
• Develop a communication plan: Have a plan in place to communicate with
family and friends during a disaster. This can include phone calls, text messages,
or social media.
• Practice emergency drills: Conduct regular drills to test your plan and ensure
everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
• Consider special needs: Consider the needs of children, elderly family
members, and pets in your emergency plan. 9: Stay calm: During a disaster, it’s
important to stay calm and focused to make rational decisions and help those
around you.

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POST DISASTER
After a disaster, it is important to take steps to ensure your safety and well-being, as
well as the safety of those around you. Here are some general tips for what to do after a
disaster:

• Follow official’s instructions: Continue to follow instructions from emergency

officials, such as law enforcement, fire department, and other disaster response
agencies.
• Check for injuries: Check yourself and others for injuries and seek medical
attention if needed.
• Check for damage: Check your home, workplace, and other buildings for
damage and potential hazards such as gas leaks or electrical damages. Do not
enter a damaged building unless it has been deemed safe by officials.
• Use caution with utilities: Use caution with gas, electricity, and water supplies,
and report any damage or leak to authorities.
• Clean up safely: Clean up debris and dispose of hazardous materials safely,
following the instructions of local officials.
• Contact loved Ones: Contact family members and friends to let them know you
are safe or use social media to indicate your status.
• Seek support: Seek emotional support if needed and reach out to organizations
and agencies that offer assistance for disaster survivors.

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 • Document damage: Take photographs or video of any damage to your property
or belongings and keep records of any expenses related to repairs or recovery.
• Be patient: Recovery after a disaster can take time. Be patient and take things
one step at a time.
• Learn from the experiences: Use the experience as an opportunity to learn and
prepare for future disasters. Evaluate your emergency plan and make any
necessary changes to improve its effectiveness.

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 KERALA FLOOD, 2018
INTRODUCTION
• Kerala is located on the Malabar Coast of Indian Sub- Continent. It is recognized
as a state on 1st November 1956 under The State Recognition Act of GOI.
• The geography of the state is very diverse, and the state is also called GOD’s
OWN COUNTRY because of its diverse ecology and vibrant biodiversity.
• Several physiographic features have surrounded the State of Kerala. The
geographical area of Kerala is about 38,863 sq. km and divided into five zones
from east to west – mountains and peaks, highlands, midlands, lowlands and
coastal plains.
• Mountains and Peaks only form the crest of the mountain ranges and form the
inter-state boundary. Highland covers about 20.45% of the area having natural
forest plantation and mixed cropping land use. Midland forms an area of gently
undulating topography with hillocks and mounds.
• The lowlands consist of Peneplains which covers almost 54.17 % area of the
state. The lowlands are constituted by floodplains, river terraces, valley fills and
sedimentary formation.
• Coastal plains and lagoons/estuaries are identified with alluvial plains, sandy
stretches, abraded platforms, beach ridges, beach dunes, barrier flats, raised
beaches, lagoons, marshes and estuaries.
• Water bodies running either oblique or parallel to the coastline of the Kerala
Coast.
• The South-West Monsoon is very important for the growing season in the Indian
Sub-Continent.
• The success of crops is totally dependent upon the onset of monsoon. Apart
from a boon this monsoon sometimes turns into a curse.
• Similar happens with the Kerala state in year 2018 the monsoon hit the Malabar
coast three days earlier than expected arrival with heavy downpour.
• Excessive rainfall causes landslides in hilly regions and flood in plains and valley
region. Between 8th to 18th August 2018 the actual rainfall recorded 720 mm
which was far greater than the average rainfall of 290 mm in the Wayanad and
Idukki District.
• This excessive unprecedented rainfall caused increase in the water level of major
and minor dams across the state.
• The reservoir had already enough water which was later added by the rainfall
leads to the discharging of water without any warning.
• This results in severe floods in the floodplains and valley and landslides in the
hilly region.

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 • In this we would have been trying to understand the cause, impact, measures
and many other aspects of the Kerala Flood 2018.
• This flood has caused a heavy loss of life and property and impacted in human
as well as other species life, it distorted the rich and diverse biodiversity of the
western ghats also.

STUDY AREA
• The southwest monsoon has arrived three days earlier to its normal arrival of 1st
June. This monsoon wind reaches the south Andaman and northern part of India
by 25th May 2018.
• Normally the state gets 2039 mm of rainfall during the monsoon season ( June to
September ) but the rainfall in the year 2018 was exceptionally high for the period
( 1st June to 28th August ). It was about 2411mm against the normal rainfall of
1770 mm.
• The highest rainfall recorded in the IDUKKI district followed by PALLAKAD
district. The rainfall for the June July and August was 15% 18% and 164% above
than the normal, respectively.
• There have been two active spells of rainfall in the state first, In the June 14th to
20th and other in the August 8th to 19th, Kerala is having 57 large dams out of
which 4 dams are operated by Government of Tamil Nadu.
• The first spell has already downpour in large amount resulted in the 100% water
in the reservoir, The second spell of monsoon was also much greater than the
normal rainfall especially on 15th August, resulted in the accumulation of water in
the already full reservoir.
• This leads the authority to release the waters in the downstream. Addition to this
heavy rainfall has also caused the severe landslide in the western ghats region.
• The catchment area of the river
• Eleven districts out of Fourteen districts were severely affected by the flood and
landslide.

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 SATELLITE IMAGE

NASA Before Flood

NASA After Flood

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 CAUSES OF KERALA FLOOD 2018
There are numerous causes which contributed to the Kerala Rainfall into a severe
disaster. The natural factor along with the human factors intensified the magnitude of
the disaster and causing loss of life and property.

❖ Heavy Rainfall
• The heavy rainfall is one of the major and driving factors behind the flood like
situation in Kerala.
• The state received rainfall three days earlier than the normal arrival and the
amount of downpour was also excessively high compared to normal rainfall.
• As per the data of IMD the state receives about 2346 mm of rainfall between
1st June to 19th August which was much higher than the expected rainfall of
1649 mm.
• Along with heavy rainfall the perigean spring tide also plays a significant role
in rising the sea level or water bodies.

❖ Dam Management
• Another factor which had contributed in the occurring of mega floods is the
poor dam management by the concerned authorities.
• As per the information the dams were holding water in full capacity which
was more than the guidelines.
• The dams have not enough space for the new spelled rainfall which result the
collapse of dam if water would not have been discharged.
• All the gates of major dams were opened to reduce the water level, and this
results in the massive flood in the floodplains and valley.

❖ Overflow of Rivers and Blockage of Water Bodies

• Kerala is situated on the western ghats in the west hence it is the place from
where a numerous perennial rivers flows.
• The Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pamba, Manimala, Meenachil, Achenkovil,
Chalakudy and Kabini overflowed in flood time and played important role in
causing the Kerala floods.
• Among all these the Periyar river is the longest river and have largest
discharge potential.
• During the flood most affected cities by Periyar overflow were Kochi, Aluva,
Ernakulum, Idduki, Neriamangalam, Kalady, Malayattor, Thrissur
etcBharathapuzha, the interstate river of Kerala and Tamil Nadu flows into the
Arabian Sea.

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 ❖ Poor Resource Management
• Most of the area affected by flood are considered as Ecological Special
Zones by the expert's panel on western ghats ecology.
• According to environmentalists, the committee's recommendations were
strong enough to protect the sensitive Western Ghat region.
• The committee recommended strong restrictions on mining and quarrying
activities, using land for non-forest purposes and disallowing high rises in the
concerned areas.
• However, the recommendations of the committee were not adopted.

❖ Lack of Awareness
• Lack of awareness was also a factor in this disaster.
• This factor with reference to the disaster risks from urban floods are living
testimonies of the conflict between the urban development and the weather-
related vulnerabilities.

❖ Poor Discharge Capacities of Water Bodies

• The embarkment of the rivers in Kerala are used to very step and stable. It
means that rivers are very stable in their bed.
• Flooding starts whenever the river discharges and people are used to the
regular flooding but not prepared for the extreme floods as happens in the
1924 and 2018.
• The flood discharge inflow from rivers did cause flooding but it was
aggravated by poor discharge capacities of the canals and blockage of
discharge at the sea outlets (azhis and pozhis).

❖ Unplanned Urbanization
• Unplanned and unchecked urbanization are also a substantial factor in
intensifying the disaster.
• The building of houses and structures in the dry riverbed had become a
cause for inviting a disaster.
• Improper development of areas also led to the accumulation of sludge and
mud after the floods.
• It is also found that urbanization caused deforestation which has further
reduced the moisture laden capacity of the water as a result to which rainfall
do not stops and causes landslide and soil erosion.

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 IMPACT OF KERALA FLOOD
The Kerala flood resulted in the devastating flood, causing significant damage of the
infrastructure and loss of human and animal lives. This had impacted a lot on the
ecology of the state as many spices lost their habitat.

The major impact of the flood is as discussed below: -

❖ Human Impact
• The flood has taken 480 lives and displaced about 78000 people. About
3250+ relief camps were setup to provide accommodation to flood victims. It
is estimated that about 12 lakh people were taking shelter in these camps.
• The displacement causes loss of 5000 crore worth damage in the state. All
the schools in the states were closed and turn into relief shelters.
• Apart from material damage flood has impacted adversely on the mental
health or psychologically.

❖ Ecological Impact
• Eleven out of Fourteen district of the states were affected with the floods, it
shows that major portion of western ghat’s ecology has been also affected.
• Many species have lost their habitat and after the floods they are
intervening the human habitat which created a sense of horror in the
people.
• The water quality of well and ground has deteriorated Which resulted lack of
safe drinking water in Kerala.

❖ Economic Impact
• The flood has adversely affected the economy as well as infrastructure of
the state.
• The Primary Sector was destroyed many crops and plantation across the
state were damaged.
• Half of the people are dependent upon agriculture related activities due to
flooding major crop of the state were severely hit such as rice, paddy,
rubber, coffee, tea plantation.
• Other tertiary had also shut down for some period due to loss of
communication and other facilities.

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 ❖ Immediate and Other Impact
• A few days after receiving one of the highest rainfalls in a century, Kerala
was caught under the threat of severe water level in wells, ponds and rivers
have recorded lowest levels and some wells even collapsed.
• The people were suffering from cholera and other water borne diseases.

RESPONSE AND MITIGATION

The state government has taken all measures in the matter of preparedness and
response to meet the flood disaster in accordance with National Disaster Management
plan and Kerala Disaster Management plans.

All preparedness measures were supported with the allocation of responsibilities,

budgetary provisions and the guidelines, covering both the structural and non-structural
measures for risk reduction in the state.

It consists of the evacuation human, livestock and other animals. Immediately after the
flood it is very important to provide foods, clothes and other basic amenities to the
flood victims.

If these facilities provided immediately after the flood the effects of disaster can be
reduced or mitigated.

Response includes actions aimed at limiting injuries, loss of life, and damage to
property and the environment that get impacted during the disaster.

In the wake of Kerala floods, various stakeholders like NDRF, Indian Army, State-led,
community volunteers, fishermen, women volunteers, non-state actors and
technological interventions responded to the massive deluge in a very effectively
manner.

For mitigating the impact of Kerala floods many government bodies, agencies, NGO’s
and local communities such as fisherman community came into action.

Here are some major bodies which helps a lot in diminishing the effect of Kerala Flood
2018

1) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

2) Indian Army

3) Indian Air force (IAF)

4) State-Led Response

5) Community Volunteers

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 6) Nongovernment Organizations (NGO’s)

7) Fishermen

8) Women and Response

The center had launched massive rescue and relief operations, which was one of the
massive rescue plans in the country.

The fisherman across the Kerala come forward for the help of the people.

Many MNC’s and Cooperative had denoted for the state which help in recovering too
new normal. Business Tycoons, MP’s and people across the country come forward to
help the people of state.

The Prime Minister of India had announced a relief of about 5 billion of interim relief
fund on 18th of August 2018, Chief Ministers of many other states had also sent relief to
the Kerala Government.

All these aids help in the recovering from this disaster and give a hope to return on the
normal activities of life and livelihood.

SUGGESTION FOR PRECAUTIONS

There are several practices for the flood precautions which are discussed below: -

1) If susceptible to flooding, elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel.

2) Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

3) Keep an adequate supply of food, drinking water and candle in case you are
trapped inside your home.

4) Listen to designated radio/TV emergency alert systems for emergency

instructions.

5) Always seek higher ground. Do not wait for instructions.

6) Stay away from flood water - do not attempt to swim, walk or drive through the
area.

7) Avoid downed power lines and muddy waters where power lines may have fallen.

8) Do not drink tap water until advised by the Health Unit that the water is safe to
drink.

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 9) Be aware of areas where water has receded. Roadways may have weakened and
could collapse.

10) Do not try to drive over a flooded road. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately
and seek an alternate route.

CONCLUSION

• The Kerala have stricken by the flood of this severity after 100 years. The Great
Flood of 1924 which was the major flood of Kerala.
• The Kerala Flood of 2018 was compared to the Great Flood of Kerala. This flood is
considered as the Flood of the Century.
• The most affected area was the Idukki and Wayanad of Kerala received rainfall
more than the expected rainfall.
• This flood is caused by natural as well as anthropogenic factors such as heavy
downpour and improper dam management, deforestation, Illegal mining and
quarrying and others.
• All these factors broad the flood like situation in the state.
• The response to the disaster comes very late initially the local fishermen
community came forward for rescuing the affected people.
• This flood had very adverse effect on the human and other species as well as
caused a heavy loss of property and infrastructure.
• It has taken a long time to rebuild the state and to bring each and everything to
normal.
• A policy for protection and prudent use of natural resources needs to implement
strictly. These resources act as a buffer to floods.
• This flood gives us a lesson about taking concern of the environment and to be
prepared for the upcoming disaster effectively.
• Progressive social development, literacy, vibrant media and active community
are Kerala’s key assets to tackle this disaster – and will help rebuild a more
resilient, effective and efficient community.
• The committee has made certain recommendations like the need for a disaster
management plan at panchayath level which will build resilience in the local
community.
• Climate change has become a reality, and the 2017 drought and 2018 flood are
the results of climate change. Disaster management needs to be integrated in all
development plans to be taken at the local/Panchayat level and needs to be
managed effectively in a coordinated manner by pooling resources.

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