DISASTER MANAGEMENT

India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions. Floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been a recurrent phenomena. About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought. At the national level, the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal Ministry for all matters concerning disaster management. The Central Relief Commissioner (CRC) in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal officer to coordinate relief operations for natural disasters.

Kerala is prone to natural calamities especially during the monsoon season. Cyclones, floods, land slides, drought etc are some of the natural agents causing immense damage to life and property of the people of the state. Another characteristic feature of this is that almost all of them are recurring in nature with various intensities and geographical variations. Unique to the geographical location and general topography, the natural agents cause maximum damage during the monsoon season with land slides and floods being more common.

The Government of Kerala has constituted the State level Disaster Management Authority with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan as its chairman. The authority would have nine members comprising experts and scientists from diverse fields. The Chief Secretary and Principal Secretaries of revenue and Home would be members. The Authority would prepare the State’s Disaster Management policy and co ordinate the activities of various departments connected with disaster management. The Authority has been formed as mentioned in the National Disaster Management Authority Act 2005.

            Kerala is among the top few states where electricity has reached every nook and corner of the state. While this achievement surely help the people in remote and hilly areas to lead better life, any break in power supply is likely to adversely affect the day-to-day life. The impact of absence of power supply is very much felt in the time of disasters.

·         Severely affect the rescue operations at night

·        Life saving equipments cannot be operated

·        Accidental contact of live wire will cause loss of life

·        Major fire due to touching of two wires is also not uncommon as high velocity winds cause the wires to swing.

KSEB has taken necessary mitigative measures to deal with such disasters. Giving due importance to the safety of the people and also the employees, the Board ensures that its network is maintained in good condition with all necessary safe guards in case of any mishap.

      As part of fine-tuning the disaster management system, the Board has ordered the constitution of Disaster Management Cells in all the Circles to meet any eventuality. The unstinted support of the public is also very important so that KSEB could reach the disaster area in case of necessity with necessary   resources to attend the calamity.

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do not touch any wire, which is broken

• In case of electric shock, isolate the person using some non-conducting material like wooden pole. If there are burns, please arrange to take the person to the nearest clinic.

• Avoid standing near high voltage lines during high velocity wind and heavy rain or squall.

• In case you find any unnatural movement of towers, electric posts or sudden rise in water levels in rivers, please inform the nearest office of KSEB

• Snapping of conductors should be reported at once

• Avoid usage of electrical equipments during lightning

Related Board Orders & Circulars

• B.O. No 678/2007 dated 22-03-07 & Annexure
  List of Contacts