Govt taking measures to tackle cyclones : Goa

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Tuesday said that the government is making all efforts to face any future cyclone like Phyan, which had brushed off the state coast in November 2009, and precautionary measures in this direction include installation of Doppler radar at the state meteorological observatory as well as provision of digital communication equipment to fishing trawlers.

“I have also informed the state Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Srivastava to work out some modalities for handling the responsibilities in case of a cyclone,” he informed, observing that drastic changes are taking place in the global climatic scenario due to the abuse of environment, which will not only bring unseasonal rains but also natural disasters like cyclones.

Speaking on a condolence motion tabled by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party on the first day of the winter session of the state assembly, as regards the death of 67 fishermen who had ventured into the deep sea during

the Phyan cyclone, the Chief Minister maintained that he has discussed with the Centre the issue about the need for a Doppler radar and the same would be set up in the state before June 2010. “The government has also moved a file to provide digital communication equipment to fishing trawlers moving in the deep sea,” he added.

Speaking further, Mr Kamat said that the government will provide indemnity to the insurance companies, for payment of insurance to the 67 fishermen, who have vanished in the cyclone. “If some of them are fortunate enough to return back in the future, the amount would be returned to the insurance companies,” he pointed out. It was also informed that a part payment towards compensation was already made to the families of these 67 fishermen, from the Chief Minister’s Welfare Fund.

The Speaker of the legislative assembly, Mr Pratapsingh Rane and leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar suggested that it should be made compulsory for the fishing trawlers to install the GPS communication system. Mr Parrikar maintained that responsibility should be fixed on agencies like state meteorological observatory, for failure to inform the public about the cyclone in advance. “A procedure should also be established to handle such situations involving natural catastrophes,” he added.

The leader of the opposition said that the issue has not gathered seriousness as 65 of these fishermen were non-Goans, while only two of them were locals.

The Chief Minister informed the House that he had received alert message about the cyclone well in advance from the central government and had even cautioned the fisherfolk in the state about it through the media. “Unfortunately, the fishing trawlers carrying the 67 fishermen had ventured into deep sea and no contact could be established with them,” he added.

[Source]