Ockhi Cyclone Dec-2017 Report English

can be contacted at all times, especially during disasters and warning issued
to them to be able to take preventive steps to save themselves. An action plan
has been proposed by the Fisheries Department, which includes providing
cellular phones, VHF sets, HF sets and satellite phones depending upon the
distance to which the fishing crafts venture into the sea. If this proposal had
been put in action, many of the fisher folks would have received information at
least at the last hour and many lives would have been saved.
‣ Absence of District Disaster Management Plan
Though Kanyakumari is prone to coastal disasters and has already faced a
huge devastation by Tsunami 2004. there is no District Disaster Management
Plan in place.
‣ Non-Functioning of TNSDM Authority and TNSDM Agency
Impacts of Cyclone Ockhi proves that Tamil Nadu Disaster Management
Authority is not functioning and no periodical review meeting of preparedness is
taking place. This negligence on disaster management by the state government
has made the marginalised communities as the victims of disasters.
The State Disaster Management Plan has to take in to cognizance of the risks in
deep sea fishing and the last mile connectivity aspects of early warning system.
Though the proposed date of completion of the World Bank sponsored Coastal
Disaster Risk Reduction Project (CDRRP) was due on May 2018, it has been
abruptly closed with effect from October 31, 2017. This raises serious doubts and
questions regarding the implementation of the project. It has been informed to the
inquest team that the audit of the Auditor General of this project revealed some
discrepancies on the financial aspects. The inquest team hence strongly
recommends and calls for a white paper on this project to be submitted in the floor of
the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. (Annexure 46 - Samples of a series of
documents referring to the World Bank supported Community Based Disaster
Risk Management Project closed now on 31 st Oct 2017 without any prior
warning to the people for whom it was meant to serve at times of disaster)
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