Urgent Alert from WIO: Cyclone Phailin on way. Stay alert, stay prepared!

Dear Friends/Co-sailors,

Its an urgent alert from Water Initiatives Odisha with an appeal to both the government and people!

As you are aware the cyclonic storm Phailin over the east central Bay of Bengal has further intensified and Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are on high alert.

We all should stay alert and prepared.  The government of Odisha has already raised alarm level for this and has not only asked the would be affected districts to stay on alert but also has asked the centre for further help.  Pasting below some links for your information.

What worries us is the fact that Hirakud reservoir on Mahanadi is full and flood waters are still being released.  Even flood waters have started to be released from Rengali dam on Baitarani.  Even though government has taken a decision to shut the dams of Hirakud if the cyclone affects and rainfall intensifies over the delta.  However, worse may also be anticipated in a scenario where it rains at the upper catchments and the cyclone appears.  This has happened in recent past and the Hirakud and Rengali dams have miserably failed.  

Our calls for revisiting Hirakud's rule curve and dam safety of all dams have been going into deaf ears.  While we stand in support of the government and all other agencies which are preparing for the devastation, we once again take this opportunity to urge upon the Govt. of Odisha to revisit the flood control measures and dam safety aspects.  In no case, any further big dams please!

We also take this opportunity to request all our members and supporters to stay alert and stay prepared.

In solidarity,

Ranjan 

Links on Phailin:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha-raises-warning-level-cyclone-phailin-intensifies/article5220360.ece

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/cyclone-phailin-intensifies-odisha-andhra-pradesh-on-high-alert_882285.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Odisha-raises-warning-level-as-Cyclone-Phailin-intensifies/articleshow/23875665.cms

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/XYLAafzdPSamJ5s7kgG9fJ/Cyclone-forecast-Odisha-cancels-puja-holiday-of-employees.html

--
Ranjan K Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha, India

Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Lead, Water Core Group, NGO Forum on ADB, Manila

Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.com, ranjanpanda@yahoo.com

Skype: ranjan.climatecrusader

Blog: http://www.climatecrusaders.blogspot.com/

A TRULY EVOLVED BEING IS ONE THAT VALUES OTHERS MORE THAN IT VALUES ITSELF....