Dam-break scenarios for KRS, Kabini, Chikkahole reservoirs analysed, Emergency Action Plan prepared
The Hindu
Emergency action plan prepared as part of dam safety measures
The Karnataka Water Resources Department has prepared an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in case of a breach in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), Kabini and Chikkahole dams, and has mapped the downstream areas that could be impacted.
The action plan is based on a hypothetical scenario of a dam break. Authorities have not only mapped the villages and the areas that could be affected, but have also spelt out the response required to minimise loss of life and damage to property.
The plan was discussed at a workshop involving all stakeholders in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district on July 8.
The exercise is part of dam safety measures. The KWRD said that preparation of the EAP entailed a slew of exercises, including a dam-break analysis, development of inundation maps for different failure scenarios, calculation of the time of arrival of flood wave, evacuation plans, and marking of shelter points.
The flood hazard mapping for KRS indicates that 2.37 lakh people in 139 villages spread across four districts will be affected in case of a breach in the KRS dam. People living in downstream villages within 13.5 km of the dam will be most vulnerable, as the time required for the water to reach these places is just about 35 minutes.
The EAP has identified potential emergency conditions and prescribes the procedure to be followed to minimise damage to property besides specifying the actions that needs to be taken. Besides, a local evacuation plan has identified 80 shelters, and inundation maps have been assessed to study scenarios arising due to over-topping failure, piping failure and large controlled release from the dam.
In case of a breach in Kabini reservoir, 92 villages in Mysuru district and 14 villages in Chamarajanagar district are likely to be submerged, and 11,61,159 people could be displaced or affected. Besides, 6.37 lakh animals could die in the resulting floods, and 15 bridges could be submerged. A local evacuation plan is part of the EAP.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder and Chidambaram M.P., Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Friday recalled the arduous journey of steering the party through the transition from being a radical organisation whose slogan was ‘Adanga Maru, Aththu Meeru, Thimiri Ezhu, Thiruppi Adi’ (Don’t bow down, disobey, rise up and hit back) to become an important cog in the wheel of electoral politics in Tamil Nadu today as VCK, with four MLAs and two MPs, is set to be recognised by the Election Commission of India as a ‘state party’.
Amid strike by some Loco Pilots, Railways is trying to ensure undisrupted service: Palakkad Division
The Palakkad Division of Southern Railway on Friday, said it was making all efforts to keep trains running in time amid a section of Loco Pilots continuing to strike from work with a demand for a 46-hour periodical rest.
After completing her Class XII a few years ago, Lakshmi Priya from Sivakasi faced financial constraints that prevented her from pursuing higher education. Despite her circumstances, she persevered by folding matchboxes to earn a meagre income. “I have always done this work – folding matchboxes. Many families in Sivakasi and surrounding areas do this work, from home,” said Ms.Priya who is now 19 years old. “I always wanted to learn something related to Computer Science. We did not have a proper teacher for this particular subject at school. But I managed to score 95%,” she said.
Ahead of the southwest monsoon, the officials from multiple departments were directed to carry out the standard operating procedure and ensure that all the parameters were adhered to as per the guidelines issued by the Disaster Management Plan of the Tamil Nadu government, said Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana here on Friday.