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From: Sukla Sen <suklasen@yahoo.com> Date: Tue Oct 11, 2005 Subject: PMI Report on Flooding in Kohlapur-Sangli [The report is being formally released to the press.] Report by the Fact-Finding Team Visiting Some of the Flood-Affected Areas of Kohlapur-Sangli A. Introduction On the 26th July last, Mumbai was deluged under the impact of unprecedented torrential rains and consequent, but by no means unavoidable, total collapse of its drainage system. About 500 lost their lives as the direct consequence. About another 200 in the following days because of secondary causes. While the attention of the media and the public remained riveted on the plight of the metropolis, some of the districts in Maharashtra, Raigarh and Kolhapur-Sangli in particular, were reeling under severe floods. However, the concerns for Mumbai somewhat overshadowed the sufferings and misfortunes of the rural folk ??“ poor and rich alike. It is in this context, the People??™s Media Initiative (PMI), Mumbai decided to conduct an enquiry into the causes and consequences of this flood and also find out the adequacy or otherwise of the governmental/societal response and further remedial measures ??“ both short and long term, that need be taken. Given the paucity of resources, it was decided to undertake a two-day trip to some of the flood-affected areas of Kohlapur-Sangli In Western (south) Maharashtra, on both the sides of the Krishna River. A broad Terms of Reference??™ was drawn up (attached at Annexure I.) Accordingly the trip was undertaken by a four-member fact-finding team comprising Ramesh Pimple, Jatin Desai and Sukla Sen of the PMI and Asad Bin Saif of the Bombay Urban Industrial League for Development (BUILD) from September 16-17. They were assisted at the locations by prominent social activists Vilas Sonawane and Dr. S. K. Mane of Kurundwad, Kolhapur and their associates. During the trip, apart from visiting a large number of sites to assess firsthand the extent and impact of the flood, quite a good number of common people and Panchayat office bearers were contacted/interviewed. The committee was briefed in details also by a local MLA. A central government office monitoring the water flow of the Krishna River was also visited. But no state government office or officials could be contacted, as the offices were closed, for obtaining official data. Clippings from the local and national press were collated and relied upon to make up for this deficiency. The details of the visit of the team are attached at Annexure II. B. The Findings in Brief I. The areas visited remained waterlogged roughly from July 28 onward for around 15 days. II. The standing crops on both the sides of the River Krishna were almost completely damaged over wide areas depending on the land profile on both the sides of the river. III. The crops consisted mainly of sugar cane, banana plants, tomatoes and Soya beans. IV. While the fact that the release of water from the dams upstream, Koyna in particular, caused the unprecedented flooding, surpassing the earlier highest recorded level in 1914 is universally acknowledged; the role of the Almatty dam in Karnataka, more than 200 KMs away and at a considerably lower level remains highly controversial. V. The loss of life was minimal and collapses of residential houses were few and far between. This reinforces the notion that water level rose fairly slowly. VI. The rescue efforts started almost immediately. Apart from government interventions, affected people themselves put all efforts in a systematic manner to minimise damage. VII. Relief camps were set up for the evacuees. Food and medical helps were arranged. No break out of diseases in the aftermath, very much unlike Mumbai, has been reported. VIII. No monetary relief other than Rs. 1,000.00 per head as a compensation for water entering into the residential houses has been provided till date. IX. While the land-owning peasants are facing a bleak future because of destruction of the crops and damage to the agricultural lands, the landless labourers are already without work and facing starvation. C. Recommendations 1. A special cell in the Mantralay under the Chief Minister with Secretary level representatives from inter alia the Finance, Home, Agriculture and Irrigation must be immediately set up to formulate and implement disbursal of aids to the affected on war footing. The whole mechanism must be operated with the active participation of the local panchayats and also various sections of affected people, the landless labourers, in particular. 2. A grant of Rs. 5,000.00 per head must be provided immediately to all the affected. An additional Rs. 5,000.00 per head to be provided to all BPL families. 3. Banks and Co-Op Societies must declare at least moratorium of two years on loan recovery from the affected farmers. The state government must provide the necessary back up. 4. Long term loan must be provided to the affected farmers on emergency basis depending on the plot size. The state government must underwrite. 5. The landless labourers must be provided work or unemployment allowances as per the EGS Act with effect from July 28. The detailed technical requirements must be suitably relaxed. 6. Adequate helps must be provided to compensate for all losses of productive assets in consultation with the local panchayats. 7. A comprehensive survey of existing dams, bridges, rivers, tributaries, bunds must be undertaken by a high power committee consisting of officials, technical experts and social activists to pinpoint responsibilities for the flood and formulate medium and long term remedial measures. 8. The role of the Almatty dam must be investigated by a committee consisting of representatives from both Maharashtra and Karnataka, and also the central government. 9. Disaster management cells should be set up in each and every flood prone town and village under the overall supervision of the elected local bodies. 10. Measure must be taken to ensure more effective flood forecasting well in time. Ramesh Pimple Jatin Desai Asad Bin Saif Sukla Sen Annexure I. Proposed Terms of Reference for Sangli Flood Fact Finding I. To broadly determine the geographical extent of the flood, the ???flood??? being defined as more than six inches of water logging for more than 72 hours. II. To determine the various major causes, including extra/unusual rainfall and release of (additional) water from upstream dam(s), if any, and non-release of accumulated water from the downstream dam(s). III. To determine whether it followed the usual annual pattern or deviated in a substantive manner. Correlate the deviated outcome, if any, with the causative factors. IV. To determine broadly the extent and nature of the damages caused to (i) human lives, (ii) the livestock, (iii) crops in the field, (iv) agricultural cycle, (v) non-productive assets including residential houses, (vi) productive assets including agricultural lands, horticulture, floriculture, poultries, fisheries etc. and cottage / small-scale industries, shops etc. and (vi) any other. To determine whether such damages were covered by any insurance and, if so, what is the status/prospect etc. of payment of compensation. V. To determine broadly the pattern of sufferings caused to different social segments/layers in terms of (i) caste, (ii) economic status, (iii) occupation and (iv) any other. VI. To determine the extent nature of human responsibility, including that of the various state agencies, if any, as causative factors. VII. To map out the various measures taken by (i) state agencies, (ii) NGO / civil society organisations and (iii) spontaneous local initiatives (a) to mitigate the severity of flooding, (b) to rescue marooned people, and livestock, (c) to provide short/medium/long term relief to the affected. To determine the adequacy, or otherwise, of such measures for the affected populace in totality and also various categorywise. VIII. To recommend measures (i) to prevent/mitigate recurrence of such disasters, (ii) additional short / mid term relief measures by the state and other agencies, and (iv) any other. IX. Any other as decided by the Committee. Annexure II. The team covered following areas. NRUSING WADI, It is village of Shirole Taluka of Kolahapur District one of the worst affected villages situated at the confluence of Panchganga and Krishna rivers. The village was flooded up to six feet. This place was famed for Datta Temple and regarded as sacred place and economy was very much dependant on the pilgrimage. Thousands of people visits Nursingwadi annually. This village due to its proximity with the confluence suffered heavily. Water entered village on 28th July and it remained there for 10 full days. Standing crops suffered immensely, like sugarcane, soybean, tomato and other cash crops felt the brunt of flood. So many houses collapsed and crumbled under its effect. Villagers told us that since 1994 for the first time idol was taken out from the temple to the safety of higher place. We visited the village KURUNDWAD, of Shirole taluka which is inhabited by the farmers, poor labourer, shepherd and small artisan class known as Sikalgar. Out of 350 houses, some were completely destroyed while quite a few were partially damaged. Gopinath Nabi Sikalgar, a resident of the area accepted before the team members that the affected people got government assistance of Rs. 1,000/- per person per family. According to Hasham Gulab Shah Mukamdar, his family got seven thousand because his family has seven members. He said that all affected people got the money. Water up to 3 feet intruded here retained there for six continuous days. Eight of their sheep and goat and a few hens perished during the calamitous flood. BASTWAD, a village of a population of about 2,500. ex deputy sarpanch of village Surendra Jangam stated that village was under water from 27 July to 10 August. Villagers were rescued to the safer places by the military boat pressed into service four boats to take the marooned villagers into nearby village Takli Wadi, which was around 5 km. 6 Houses were demolished, 4 cattle died. Crops like tomato and banana crop were totally destroyed while sugarcane and soybean crop was over 60% damaged. They sent Sugarcane and Soybean to the factories and tomato to as far away as to Ahmedabad. Jivander Tatoba Chowgule, sarpanch of village stated that water started increasing from 30th July and it took 3-4 days to reach at dangerous level. He gave the reason of flood to the release of vast accumulated water in the dams from Koyna, Warna, Dhom, Kanher and Radhanagriwas. He showed reservation about an effect of backwater phenomenon due to Alamatty dam, which was 250 km away in Karnataka. Alamatty has no connection whatsoever with recent flood??? was the categorical statement of Babasaheb Sattar Patel, a peasant of the village. The beauty of this village was that people live in complete harmony and help each other during duress. Villagers got assistance of Rs. 1,000.00 per person for the loss of their hearth and home. But they did not get anything for the damage of their crops. Although panchnamas and other formalities were made but so far they had not received any help from any quarter. In order to take necessary preventive measures for their safety in future, villagers were demanding with concerned officials to provide one boat and also there paved road which could connect Bastawad and Akiwat which could come in handy during emergency period.. AKIWAT has a population of 10,000, Village Panchyat has both ladies Sarpanch named Ms. Anuradha Kamble and deputy sarpanch Rajashree Naik got elected under 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Here we found a sort of women empowerment where sarpanch from Dalit Community was given space in the decision making process which was the source of satisfaction. The people of this area fully involved in agricultural related economy. Village has 10% landless labourers and about 15% are small farmers and average land holding is 8 acres. Iqbal Babu stated that they grew sugarcane, soybean, tomato and banana. Sugarcane crop output has been suffering for the last two years because of the affliction of Mawa disease, lost 50% yield for the last two years. In fact the entire Shirole taluka has suffered heavily from Mawa disease but they do not get any kind of compensation whereas other areas got some relief. They shared the information that government had declared that for their crop damage they would get compensation of Rs. 10,000.00 per hectare and for the erosion of the soil, assistance of Rs. 25,000.00 per hectare. But the phenomenon of soil erosion was in vogue mainly in Konkan Region not here so they expected that they should be given fair assistance so that they could reinstate their cultivation. Water started increasing from 28 July but gradually it reached to an alarming proportion. Affected people were taken to Gurudatt Sugar Factory nearby, where they were taken care by the Factory people and people of the area. Women and children were well looked after. Government helped relief camp later. Villagers were highly critical of the lackadaisical attitude of the administration because neither Collector nor Tahsildar extended any help. While we were in the village a Morcha of Shirole Taluka, Purgrasta Sangharsha Samiti came in demanding Shirol taluka should be declared 100% flood affected, all loans pertaining to agriculture should be waived off, per acre Rs. 40,000/- should be given as compensation, Employment should be provided under Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) etc. because for the last two months labourers did not get employment and they had been facing stiff situation. Villagers were of the opinion that Alamatty should not keep sizeable water and both Maharashtra and Karnataka government should provide them details of the agreement under right to information act. SAINIK TAKLI This is a village where one person from virtually every family is in the military and that was why it is named Sainik Takli. Dudhganga River meets Krishna here. Village has 400 ex-soldiers and 250 are serving now. Only dalit houses were damaged in flood because they live in low-lying areas. 75% cultivation went under water. We met Vasant Mallu Koli, a sarpanch and others in panchayat office. Madhukar Baccharao Patil, member of gram panchayat, insisted that ban for selling sugarcane into Karnataka should be lifted so that they could get better price. According to M. Patil Narrow column and height of the bridge at Manjari-Ankali in Karnataka might have also contributed in flooding. People of this area started inquiring about what happened to the 750 crore earmarked for the succour of the affected people they wanted transparency in the distribution of the funds. MANJARI-ANKALI BRIDGE: It is connecting Manjari and Ankali built on Krishna River. People of the Maharashtra had the opinion that this bridge also put restriction in the outflow of river from Maharashtra to Karnataka. The team visited to the bridge site and got the impression that the bridge column was built with ample space to carry large volume of water. So it appeared that bridge would not have been the major cause for the flooding of the areas. KRISHNA GHAT, MIRAJ. DIST: SANGLI This is on the bank of Krishna River. Maximum flood in this part was on 5th August. Many houses suffered damages in flood. But there was no casualty. Villagers also carry out with a unique idea and saved their cattle. Cattle were taken to the terrace of some two story building and kept for some days. They were of the opinion that they received immediate relief from administration mainly from military personnel. According to Yuvraj Kamble, Helicopter turned in the village lifted one villager from his roof the top and got necessary input about the villages and how to provide relief there. Arjun Aba Jadhav (85) said that water started increasing from 28th July and it was the highest on 5th August. Before 28th July 10-12 feet water was there in the river. According to him the river was in full spate even water carrying capacity reached to the point of aggravation. It was looking like water was returning after crushing to the nearby bridge and started pounding into village. Some villagers said that things suffered badly because water from dams was released and it came with a high speed but because of heavy inflow of water it did not pass in that speed, this created heavy flood. RAJU SHETTY, an independent MLA (Shetkari Sanghatana Swabhimani) from Shirole stated that "government failed to visualize what is going to happen. When on 26 July heavy rain paralyzed Mumbai city and before that some parts of Konkan was flooded, authority should have anticipated what is in store and people for Sangli and Kolhapur and people of these two would have been sparred from such hardships. Heavy rain started at Ghat on 28th and administration should have released water from dams but they did not anticipate such calamity and failed miserably." He held flooding not due to Almatty dam alone but it was collective impact of almatty, Hippargi dam which was before Almatty and also bridge joining Manjari and Ankali and late release of water from dams led to the slow down of the outflow of water. Maharashtra government asked Karnataka to release 6 lakh cusec of water from Almatty but Karnataka released only 3 to 3.5 lakh cusec which resulted back water. As water from mountains came at breakneck speed but it passed slowly because of backwater resulting in flooding. At Shirole taluka 12 persons died in flood including incident of Rajapur, where 9 people died when boat capsized. He accepted that no epidemic had been broken out so far either among the men in the marooned villages and their children and aged ones who had been taken shelter in relief camp because of health related measures were up to the mark. For that 75 doctors involved for this sort of actions. Two cases of leptospirosis were detected of which one succumbed to the disease. He shared a lot of information on cultivation related works "one acre gives 35 tonne of banana and one tonne give Rs. 5,000 to farmer. One acre gives 40-45 tonnes sugarcane and one tonne gives farmer Rs. 1,200. Cultivation of tomato per acre costs Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 75,000.00" Shirol taluka has 52 villages and out of which about 40 villages are affected. 90% of the population is connected with agriculture. He further stated that "45,000 people were in relief camps and initially they were run not by the government but by individuals and factories. Later government helped camps. People helped each other without any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion. There was total apathy felt on the side of officers???¦. He averred that People at Rajapur could have been saved had collector taken some initiatives in organizing helicopter from Belgaum or from any other place. He said the peasants were facing daunting task to restart their cultivation because it would be costly affairs. To clean their land merely per acre would cost Rs. 6,000. People especially landless labourers were facing the brunt because they were unemployed for the last two months. He suggested that employment guarantee scheme EGS scheme should be amended keeping peculiar situation created by heavy flood in mind. For that matter work like cleaning of private farm should be brought under EGS. In order to revive farming it was the duty of the government to see that farmers came out strong interest free or with bare minimum interest loans should be made easily available for them. According to Ravindra Kesharkar, correspondent of Tarun Bharat, the flood caused because Rivers of Sangli-Kolhapur districts were pouring more than 6 lakh cusec water in Krishna, but Krishna' capacity of taking water was merely 4 to 4.5 lakh cusec. Because of this difference water spread out and brought flood. Annexure III. Some General Findings Based on Secondary Sources According to the District Magistrate of Kolhapur, Mr.H.R.Powar ????the water level at Krishna, Panchganga and Dudhganga has reduced substantially till 7th Aug, 05 in Kolhapur District giving much relief to the worst effected Shirole taluka. Till 7th August, 05 45 villages in Shirole taluka remained marooned under flooded water. In Sangli District till 7th Aug. 05 the water levels of the Krishna and Warna River had reduced ehough around 52 villages were still inundated. Around 1.4 lakh people in 213 villages have been affected by the floods in Sangli District alone. They have been evacuated by the administration with the help of Army personnel and people of that area. The source of concern was that in spite of let up in the rain for a few days in the past there was no substantial diminishing of the level of Krishna and other rivers in both the districts because of high influx from the Almatti Dam as alleged by the Leaders of Maharashtra. Bloated rivers caused havoc due to heavy rains and water consequently released from 47 Dams in Maharashtra. Around 2.5 lakh people in Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur and Satara had to be evacuated with the help of army, navy and the people of the area. In Sangli city, more than 20, 000 people are in relief camps after water released from the Koyna Dam which is around 120 km away flooded their homes. Some of the villages of Sangli and Kolhapur remained submerged for more than 15 days. The Extent of Damage ;- In total 86, 382 Hectares of standing crops were lost. 135 villages in Kolhapur were affected some were partially inundated and some were fully marooned. 19828 families comprising 92891 people were evacuated. The crop wise lose is as follows:-36,600 Hectares Sugarcane, Soybean 19, 202, Hectares, Jowari, 973 Hectares, Maiz 99 Hectares, Tomatto, 1, 396 Hectares, Tomatto- 1639 Hectares, Banana 223 Hectares, Nachani, 1946 Hectares, Pulse 100 Hectares, Fruits 322 Hectares and Paddy 17,134 Hectares. Loss is conservatively estimated as: Roads 16 crore, Buildings 36 lakh, Bridge 14 lakh, Gutter 1 crore and Pipeline 14 lakh etc. Numerous Sugar factories of these areas would be widely affected. The crop was about to be harvested for crushing but was flattened due to inundation. 60% of sugar crops were destroyed in these two districts. According to the initial information released from the cooperatives department and the federation of cooperatives sugar factories produce would hit by 20% of the District comprising Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solhapur and Kolhapur. The flood also caused a loss of nearly Rs 1 crore to the potter community in Kolhapur with hundreds of idols of Lord Ganesha washed away nearly 300 artisans were faced with bleak future. Nearly 50% of the Ganesh idols had been destroyed in the potters??™ colonies at Shahupuri Kumbhar, Wasahat and Bapat Camp because Ganesh Chaturvedi was round the corner and they made statues for that. Annexure IV. High Flood Levels Maintained by the Central Water Commission at the bank of Krishna River at Nursingwadi 1914: 539.720 Mtrs. 1935: 536.320 Mtrs. 1940: 535.420 Mtrs. 5th Aug, 2005: 539.76 Mtrs. |
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| << October12, 2005 - [India Thinkers Net]North-East news,Muslim women,Earth quake etc (1-4) |
October13, 2005 - [India Thinkers Net]Vishwanath,Yogi,Sukla etc >> |
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