Minutes

WORKSHOP ON FLOODS IN ODISHA: CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVES

16th October 2011, Conference Hall, Odisha Environmental Society
Civil Society to Develop a Inclusive Citizen Charter on Flood in Odisha as long-term resilient response A half day workshop on Odisha flood -2011 has been organized at Odisha Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar on 16th Oct 2011 through a collaborative effort of Odisha Water Forum, Focus Odisha, Agamee Odisha, Agragamee and Baitarani Initiative as a part of civil society initiative to better understand and respond to this years devastating flood in various river basin systems. This meeting was participated by various civil society organizations, Government officials, academicians, grassroots NGOs from flood affected area and Volunteers involved in flood relief. Objective The meeting was organized to discuss different dimensions of Flood viz. scientific, cultural, historical, social, political and economic in Odisha in general and this years flood in Mahanadi and Baitarani in particular. The objective was to add perspectives of Civil Society to the Flood debate; facilitate their informed participation and delineate the future course of involvement. The broad objective of the meeting was to compliment the ongoing flood debate by various stake groups through research-based information and to draw a road map towards proactive and holistic solution of a perennial issue like flood through collaborative effort. The meeting was presided by Mr Nadia Chand Kanungo, noted environmentalist of Odisha Presentations Following introduction of the participants, a presentation on Flood in Odisha: An attempt to understand and understanding Mahanadi floods was made by Mr. Pranab Ranjan Choudhury. The presentation (Annexure-I) was mainly divided into two parts: first part was related to floods in Odisha and second was more at understanding the flood in the Mahanadi. Mr Choudhury discussed the first part of his Presentation under the following broad heads I. Attempting to Understand Floods in Odisha Disaster Flooded with Blame Game: Though More Politics Yet Awakening Horrifying Statistics of Flood and Damages Floods in Odisha :Natural Causes Causes of More Damage due to Floos Flood Enquiry Committee Report, 1928 Flooding Perceptions:But Everybody Seems to Love It Options : Living with Flood Options : Flood Preparedness & Avoidance

In the first part he discussed the history of floods in Odisha, extent of infrastructural, human, social, and economic damages, natural and manmade causes, causes of increasing damages, mainstream flood control approaches, perceptions of different stakeholders and options of living with flood, preparedness etc.

He started with highlighting the ongoing debates on flood in political and civil society space and increased attention of media and common citizens, which was quite remarkable. Besides being reflection on increased awareness, it also underlines a growing interest of citizens to participate in the decision making process of natural resources including water. However, somehow the debates are mostly restricted around management of Hirakud reservoir and rule curve of reservoir operations, though there is need to understand it from the perspectives of entire river management and governance. Further he explained the history of floods in the state and how it has become cause of devastations and worries. Geography of Odisha makes its delta highly flood prone, though the increasing damages due to flood are manmade. The delta region is very flat which does not allow quick flow to the sea. Catchment to delta ratio is very high for most of the states river. In deltaic river course the water discharge to the sea is not directly to the sea, mainly rivers takes northward direction flow of several kilometers parallel to sea coast and then enters into the sea due to presence of littoral sand drift. This phenomenon resists the direct discharge of flood water into the sea. Flood situation becomes more aggravated due to tidal surge at the time of full moon and poor drainage and inefficient channels for discharging flood water. Table: Damage during last 5 High floods 2001-02 Peak Flow @ Naraj (lakh cusec) Date No of Times No of Districts No Villages Population affected (million) Damage Human life lost(no) Livestock lost (no) Crop Area affected ('000 ha) Houses damaged (no) Financial Loss (Rs in Millions) 102 18,149 799 187,575 10,065 93 2,956 1,490 185,483 15,108 90 1,656 309 120,446 444 258,155 24,543 150 116, 706 21,210 96 80 24 18,790 9.68 27 13,404 7.62 22,381 8.06 14.08 20 Jul 2003-04 13.5 30 Aug 2006-07 13.08 31 Aug 2008 15.82 18 Sep Twice 19 8,026 4.5 2011 13.5 11 Sep Twice 19 4,897 5.0

The major causes of more damages in floods, he described, are increased population density in the delta, location and faulty design of habitation, encroachment of drainage spaces, reduction in traditional coping methodologies,

increased reliance on structural measures, lack of coordination with Chhattisgarh government, land use change, lack of capability of Panchayat Raj institutions and political economy of floods control and relief distribution. There are flood related perceptions in the mind of different stakeholders which contradict each other and there are vested interests among all the stakeholders. It is more likely that everyone likes the floods. The way ahead to in such a situation is to make proper flood plain zoning, flood forecasting, adaptive agricultural and livelihood system, river flushing, mouth dredging and community implementation and monitoring in the state. There is need to flood preparedness and proactive planning to mitigate the flood situation. In the second part of presentation he presented the flood situation in Mahanadi river basin and analysed different aspects of flood situations, causes and impacts in the region. He developed his analysis on the basis of following points. II. Understanding Mahanadi Floods Understanding the Mahanadi as a River : Catchcment, Hirakud Dam, Hirakud to Naraj and Delta Mahanadi Basin Statistics Factoring Flood : Looking at the River o Catchment issues o Hirakud Dam Changing Rainfall & Runoff Reservoir management Limitations of Hirakud Changing Rules of Rule Curve September Tilt Variability of rainfall has reduced more in Sep, in comparison to decrease in July & Aug Variability of runoff has reduced in Sep, while the variability has increased in July & Aug Changing Reservoir Capacity o Hirakud to Naraj Contribution of Hirakud Release to Peak flow in Munduli during High Floods o Deltaic issues Flood Water Volume near Cuttack & near Kendrapara o Flood in the Climate change contexts Mahanadi Woes Need to understand more

The presentation attempted analyzing flood looking at entire river approach. He divided the basin into four parts Viz. catchment of Hirakud reservoir, Hirkud reservoir and reservoir operation management, Hirakud to Mundali part of Mahanadi basin and Mahanadi Delta, and shared analysis of flood through available official and satellite-based data. More than 85 % catchment of Hirakud reservoir is in Chhattigarh. However there is absence of any water sharing treaty on Mahanadi river water. There is construction of dams and barrages in Chhattisgarh in catchment of the reservoir along with significant water allocation to industries which all have resulted unpredicted flow patterns into the reservoir, making management during flood situation highly challenging.

The reduction in reservoir capacity due to sedimentation, changing runoff and rainfall pattern with higher probability of inflow in the month of September and competition among water users from dam is resulting into skewed management of reservoir operations. The reservoir operations are still managed according to the rule curve which formulated in 1988, which need to revisit in the context of developmental and climate change as well as with development in modeling and computing technology.
RESERVOIR LEVEL AGAINST RULE CURVE 630.0
627.0 622.0 615.0 610.0 605.0 595.0593.3 595.0 593.3 591.7 591.7 11th July 619.0 629.0 624.0

630.0 625.0 RESERVOIR LEVEL IN FEET 620.0 615.0 610.0 605.0 600.0 595.0 590.0 1st July

630.0 629.5 630.0

21st July

21st Aug

11th Aug

11th Sep

21st Sep

1st Aug

1st Sep

Upper

2008

2009

2011

Lower

PERIOD

There is contribution of major rivers such as Tel in the number of floods in river Mahanadi. Most of the times the downstream of Hirakud reservoir contributed during floods in river Mahanadi. In Mahanadi delta the embankments, siltation in river bed, reduction in carrying capacity of river channels and sedimentation in river mouths are causing more problems to discharge flood water to the sea.
CONTRIBUTION of HIRAKUD in MAXIMUM DISCHARGE AT MUNDALI IN LAKH CUSEC(1958-2009)

18 16 14 12 IN LAKH CUSECS 10 8 6 4 2 0

1994

1st Oct

590.0 590.0

2006

1958

1960

1962

1964

1966

1968

1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

YEARS

Max.Discharge at Mundali

Dam Contribution

2008

Contribution of Hirakud Release to Peak flow in Munduli during High Floods

Dam release Contrib

Downstream Contrib

Mr. Choudhury ended his discussion with saying some more investment of space and time is required to understand and explore possibilities to mitigate frequent occurrence of flood and flood damages in Odisha which at the end of the meeting reflected in the form of developing a Citizen Charter.

5000 Daily Discharge in Cumec 4000 3000 2000 1000

Flood Water Volume near Cuttack & near Kendrapara (Monsoon 2002-10
Cuttack Kendrapara

Second presentation was made by Mr. Padma Kesharee Sahu on Floods in Baitarani. In his presentation sharing data on floods in the Baitarani, he explained the geomorphological characteristics of the basin that aggravate the flood situation. He said that steep slope of the river when it enter into delta region, the more number of channels in catchment and less in delta to carry flood water to sea, smaller delta size than the entire basin and low slope of delta region, are the causes of aggravated flood situation in Baitarani river basin. Open Discussion Participants actively deliberated sharing their knowledge and experiences in the Open session. Some of field level worker who had been with the practical experience of flood shared their views on various structural and administrative errors during the flood period Any constructions on the natural channel which affects the drainage including encroachment of natural channel to build houses is illegal (Mr Tapan Padhi) There are rules to deal with obstruction to drainage channel but due to lack of co-ordination it is not being implemented strictly (Er N K Mahapatra)

2002Jul 2002Aug 2002Aug 2002Sep 2002Sep 2002Sep 2003Jul 2003Jul 2003Aug 2003Aug 2003Sep 2003Sep 2004Jul 2004Jul 2004Aug 2004Aug 2004Aug 2004Sep 2004Sep 2005Jul 2005Jul 2005Aug 2005Aug 2005Sep 2005Sep 2006Jul 2006Jul 2006Aug 2006Aug 2006Aug 2006Sep 2006Sep 2007Jul 2007Jul 2007Aug 2007Aug 2007Sep 2007Sep 2008Jul 2008Jul 2008Jul 2008Aug 2008Aug 2008Sep 2008Sep 2009Jul 2009Jul 2009Aug 2009Aug 2009Sep 2009Sep 2009Sep 2010Jul 2010Jul 2010Aug 2010Aug 2010Sep 2010Sep

Ongoing over emphasis on rule curve in the flood-debate can be counterproductive. Rule Curve issue should have not been promoted. Because the whole debate on other issues are diverted to that particular issue only (Mr Tapan Padhi) Change in rainfall pattern due to climate change should be taken into consideration and a holistic approach needed to avoid the flood. (Mr Tapan Padhi) In managing Rule Curve the climate change has not been taken in to account. There are still many uncertainties in the climate change studies. We need to study more. (Er N K Mahapatra) Can we develop a system, wherein common citizen, PRI members and other members of civil society are part of monitoring rule curve operation to ensure more transparency and accountability? ( P R Choudhury) More focus should be on flood damage. All we have is the data of property lost by the government. Loss to farmers, agricultural crops and other are not figured out. The basis of loss calculation requires to be declared. (Mr Tapan Padhi) How much water can be retained in the catchment and how the catchment region is managed also need attention. (Mr Tapan Padhi) Lack of information on flows in the river Brahmani and the flow measurement system there. (Mr Tapan Padhi) Hydraulic data collection and analysis are required to be strengthened(Er N K Mahapatra) Whether there is any Rule Curve violation by the Hirakud Dam authorities. (Mr Manas Ranjan Mishra) In response to shifting rainfall pattern from July to September the present Rule Curve should be modified. ( P R Choudhury) GOO is planning to have such a Workshop on Flood and he invited participants to come and present such critical analysis and civil society perspective based on data and field observation. (Er N K Mahapatra) Dam is not the only intervention to contribute flood. There are also other contributions that we need to explore. (Er N K Mahapatra) The purpose of Hirakud dam was to control flood in Cuttack district and the Rule curve is prepared by some experts. What causes the damage is the lack of preparedness on the part of governments and erroneous infrastructures in the deltaic region. For example Chandbaili Rail way line. (Mr Manas Ranjan Mishra) If Hirakud is main cause of flood as alleged by many can we decommission the Dam? (Mr. Achyut Das) Experience of Puri flood (Mr Joyti Ramdas) Increased damage due to water weeds in Kanasa and Delanga are and on Chilika encroachment (Mr Sandeep Pattnaik) Description of flood situation and events in the Bari Block (Ramakanta Mandal ) Officers being deputed to manage flood situations lack desired skill and experience and often add to woes of community Political interests, Contractors negligence and Community conflicts are mentioned as causes of embankment breaches There have been lots of breaches in embankments in Patkura area, where there were breaches last time also.

Suggestions Govt should consider developing a River Management Policy. (N C Kanungo) There is need for a larger consultation on the issue related to flood and bigger platform that would include academician, right minded politicians, civil society organizations etc. (Mr Sudarsan Das )

The government should do total catchment mapping of river basin in context of flood. Rule curve should be avoided, with formation of participatory Hirakud reservoir management system. The civil society and government should take up climate change and preparedness issues as early as possible. (Mr Achyut Das) The government departments and institutions need to respond and towards this civil society have to present Govt with a comprehensive analysis of the flood along with suggestions for policy changes and action. (Mr Sudarsan Das) The response should not stop here. There is need of continuation of work by OWFand other organizers for initiating a process towards a long term and meaningful involvement related to recent flood situations in Odisha. (Mr. Tapan Padhi) The process of involvement with different issues related to present flood situation can be divided into short term and long term involvement from civil society. ( Mr Achyut Das) Apart from policy advocacy and bridging information gap through research, there is a need of initiating village-to-village interaction in riparian areas among upstream and downstream villagers to prepare them with living with flood paradigm. In this direction civil society must start working. (P R Choudhury) All Participants requested to Mr Mahapatra to have a inter-departmental discussion. There Water Resource Department will come up with consultation issues of recent flood situation in the state. The Odisha Water Forum should come up with these issues to Water resource Department. (Mr. N. K. Mahapatra )

Resolution Mr Sudarsan Das, Achyut Das, Tapan Padhi, Pranab R Choudhury and others come out with consensus resolution to develop an Inclusive Citizen Charter on Flood for submission to Govt and wider dissemination. The demands of the citizen charter would be finalized after convening a larger discussion on the issue. All the participants also put forward a demand to formulate a River Basin Management Policy as one of citizen charters priority demands. This charter would be a collective and participatory future action plan which will pave a way to manage the entire river basin from catchment to delta.