Bureau Report
Port Blair, Oct 14: The cyclonic weather has crossed North and Middle Andaman, leaving behind several lessons, which even best disaster management drills can’t teach us. The Cyclonic Storm ‘Phailin’ has also left many stories behind, which must be reported to show the world that how some people have responded admirably and served people selflessly during the time of disaster while there were many who brought shame for the entire Administration.
Where we excelled
The Cyclonic Storm, ‘Phailin’ Caused heavy rainfall in Middle Andaman region, many areas received more than 300 mm of rainfall in a day, resulting in flood like situation. Rain-swollen waters enveloped houses, turned roads into riverbeds and damaged properties worth several lakhs.
Dozens and Dozens of Islanders had to take shelter in temporary relief camps for two days, set up in many remote villages by the District Administration.
During the crisis many Islanders emerged as heroes, who worked tirelessly day and night to help others and deal with the crisis. Andaman Sheekha is putting in record details of some of such heroes.
Mr. Abraham, Headmaster, Govt. Middle School Billyground:
Mr. Abraham, the headmaster of Govt. Middle School Billyground (Bangla Medium), received National Teacher’s Award recently.
When North and Middle Andaman was struck by heavy rainfall and the roads were flooded, many students of the school could not go out of school. As it was flood like situation in many places, three students decided to stay back in school. The headmaster, who could easily go home giving the task of helping the students to any other staff, had decided to stay back with the students as long as the last students is present inside the school. Other teachers were so motivated with the move of the Headmaster that they also decided to stay back with the students. Soon some other people also came in the school to take shelter and all were served well by the staffs of the school.
Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, Ms. R Meneka :
On getting the news that nearly 200 students are stranded at Government Sr. Sec. School Swadesh Nagar, the Assistant Commissioner of Rangat, Ms. R. Meneka, somehow managed to reach the school. She decided to stay with the students till the situation becomes normal to make sure that the students are safe and get food on time. According to villagers, the Assistant Commissioner stayed with the stranded students till the last student went back home. Presence of the Assistant Commissioner with the victims of Middle Andaman Flood became a great source of inspiration and motivation for other relief workers.
Punya Salila Srivastava, IAS, Secretary of Disaster Management & Relief and Rehabilitation:
During any disaster proper coordination with media is the key. The Secretary of Disaster Management & Relief and Rehabilitation , who understand this was available always for media and even she replied to SMSes queries so that public gets the right information, thus helping media units to report accurately about the Middle Andaman flood.
Mithun Halder, DRM:
Mithun Halder, a daily rated mazdoor working on contract basis under a private company for BSNL. It was the duty of Mithun Halder to operate the Generator Set of BSNL exchange of Swadesh Nagar. During heavy rainfall the Swadesh Nagar exchange was totally down as there was no power. According to villagers no official of BSNL came to even see the condition of Swadesh Nagar Exchange, which disrupted the communication network for general public. The DRM Mr. Mithun Halder also called the SDPO, Mayabunder and informed him about the crisis but no help came from Mayabunder.
Finally he took risk and ventured out in heavy rain to run the generator set. He found that the Generator Set was out of Diesel and there was no excess stock. Mithun somehow convinced one of his friends, who runs a Diesel outlet and managed 60 litres of Diesel and operated the Generator set, which helped in restoring the telephone network in the entire area, since 8th October Morning itself. The DRM could have easily sat inside his house and later give excuse of heavy rain, like many others permanent government servants did, but Mithun showed tremendous devotion for his duty.
Other Staffs:
Besides this many local youths and most staffs of Police Department, Fire Services, Revenue, Disaster Management etc worked exceptionally well and helped day and night to make sure that every victim is safe and gets food on time.
Where did we fail?
Vice Principal of GSS, CFO Nallah, Dr. Manorama:
During the heavy rainfall, a lot of students were stranded in GSS, CFO Nallah. Not only this, a lot of ATR passengers also took shelter in CFO nallah school but the villagers complaint that instead of helping these people, the Vice Principal locked the toilet block of the school for nearly 15 to 16 hours. Even after repeated requests of stranded people to open the toilet block the Vice Principal did not open the same. Finally when PRI members reported this matter to the DC of North and Middle Andaman, he directed public to break to lock and use the toilet block. Even during his visit to Middle Andaman after the disaster he expressed deep anguish for the said Vice Principal and assured necessary action.
Panchayat Secretary, Harinagar Panchayat, Ms. Shamma Khalid:
Since the Disaster Day the Panchayat Secretary was missing from Harinagar Village. When rain enveloped the Harinagar Panchayat and there was threat of losing all documents, people called up the Panchayat Secretary but she did not pick up the call. Finally when the Pradhan called her up, she picked up the call and informed him that she is in Port Blair. Nobody knows, when and why she left for Port Blair, that too, without any intimation. Finally most of the documents inside the Panchayat were damaged due to flooding as the key of the room and almirah was with the Panchayat Secretary. Most shocking part of the story is that the Panchayat Secretary has not reported on duty, even today.
No briefing from administration: During any disaster it is important to conduct briefing with media so that public gets right information but the Administration was almost silent. Hardly any information was coming out from Administration. During Tsunami every evening there used to be a briefing at Raj Niwas but during the present disaster there was no coordination with media from the side of Administration. Even Disaster Control Room was unable to pass information only Secretary of Disaster Management & Relief and Rehabilitation was available for any reply.
Shortage of relief materials:
There was acute shortage of relief materials in North and Middle Andaman. In camps, where there were more than 50 to 60 rain hit people the Administration could provide hardly 10 bed sheets and a few mats. Only rice and some pulses were given to victims to cook, while no other ingredients for cooking were provided by Administration.
No Boats:
The Middle Andaman region, which often get flooded during heavy rain have been demanding inflatable boats for such crisis to rescue people. But the same was not provided even today, which made things difficult during this crisis. Many people could not be rescued on time due to absence of boats. One person was washed away by heavy flow of water, luckily he was rescued by Police Jawans and villagers.
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