Irrigation Department Role in Disaster Management

The Irrigation Department plays an important role in mitigating the impact of natural and man made disasters through preparedness at various levels. 

In Pre-disaster: 

• Disaster risk and vulnerability maps of all departments and authorities in the region should be prepared and updated regularly. It is necessary to present a map showing the extent of irrigation infrastructure vulnerability and other water resources in the region and the potential for failure.
• A request to maintenance and repair of Buds and embankments can be made. As part of quarterly contingency plans of the department while using the district/state funds.
• Critical bunds should be repaired in a timely manner before and after heavy rains, after assessing the damage caused by previous disasters and ensuring that all repairs are completed on time.
• Take the necessary steps to repair the wireless network that connects the disaster channels.
• Establish protocols for communication between the District, State, and National Disaster Control Rooms.
• There should be a duty chart assigned to the junior engineers in charge. District-level officials should be aware of their role in Incident Response Plans. Additionally, this list of in-charge junior engineers should be sent to all Response Centers, District Magistrates, and all control rooms.
• Whenever possible, upgrade river and nullah channels. De-silt canals and take steps to improve water flow by cleaning the nullahs.
• Before the rainy season, clean all siphons and regulators on bunds and canals. Smaller diameter siphons or regulators should be replaced/expanded so that water cannot flow into them.
• Enhancing fodder production is a priority, so better irrigation facilities or any assistance should be provided. Farmers will benefit from small charges if they regularly receive such water.
• Those who control reservoirs and tanks should be allowed to cultivate short-term grains and foodstuffs in the tanks and reservoirs that they control.
• Ensure that all rain-gauge stations are functioning properly and that the irrigation department receives accurate readings from these stations immediately. A registration system should be in place for recording rainfall amounts.
• Each technical assistant should be provided with emergency tool kits, and all members of the team should understand the precautions that should be taken to protect their life, property, and office.

During and in Post-disaster:

• Accomplish all types of inspections and repairs, including bunds, dams, irrigation channels, bridges, culverts, control gates, overflow channels, pumps, generators, motor tools, and station buildings.
• The level of impounding in the lakes should be reduced if heavy rains are forecast. The amount of impounding will be determined by the rainfall forecast. If heavy rains are forecast, we need to make sure to coordinate this with other sites and the District Control Room.
• In the event of a possible disaster downstream, ensure that warnings are provided for those who live in adjacent districts as well as those outside of the state’s borders.
• At the inlet and outlet of reservoirs and lakes, check that trees and vegetation are not blocking waterways.
• To strengthen and secure all repaired or under constructed infrastructure, sandbags, rock falls, and other protective measures should be used.
• For the mitigation of damage caused by heavy rain, concrete bags should be used.
• It should be ensured for the smooth transportation of vehicles, all bunds situated in the proximity of villages should have access to the roads.