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The stories of those who have returned were also terrifying. They were forced to float in the sea for days without any food or medicine. Many of them escaped by floating on the damaged parts of their boats. Even the fish ate their human bodies. Although the Navy and the Coast Guard made their efforts to rescue them, many people were able to escape because of their luck and self-efforts.

We cannot accuse anybody for the natural disasters. However, we can avoid such casualties if we could have taken effective precautions and used early warning systems. In this regard, I would like to point out that some mistakes have been made by the officers. Here, I have the statistics of the Government of India, that is, the Action Taken Report by INCOIS, Hyderabad about the very severe cyclone called Okchi. The cyclone has hit Kerala coast on the morning of 30th November. On 30th November, there was a warning at 9.30 a.m. I am agreeing that enough warning was given.  The severe cyclone hit on 30th November early morning, but as per the statistics of the Government, at 12.30 p.m. on 30th November, the bulletin Ocean State Forecast associated with cyclone Ockhi over Cape Comorin area warned of it through website. Why is it happening?  The cyclone hit the coast on 30th morning itself. Our system alerted the people at 12.30 p.m. By this time, several valuable lives had already been taken away by the natural calamity. Therefore, we need a specific early warning system.

 But while we discuss Ockhi, one or two points needs to be mentioned that while nobody can prevent a natural calamity, what human beings can do is to give advance warning so that people can take precautions. Unfortunate thing is that the cyclone struck land, at its landfall, on the morning of 30th November. The Indian Meteorological Department issued its cyclone warning at noon on that day. Most of the people had gone into the sea by that time. So, the warning did not reach them.

Now, two points were cited. First is that people in the West Coast are not used to cyclones. People in Odisha, your State, or in Andhra or the eastern seaboard of Tamil Nadu are more used to cyclone. We had Phailin; we had Hudhud; and we had the worst supercyclone in Odisha in 1999. There, the early warning system is in place; in Kerala particularly, this early warning system failed. I do not want to go into accusation but the Kerala Chief Minister, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, whether he has done it politically or not, he has openly alleged that Kerala was not warned about the cyclone by the Centre. No advance warning on cyclone – Kerala CM. Shri Vijayam said that the first information the State Government got was on 30th noon. There is no advance information of cyclone Ockhi at all.

Our colleague, Dr. Shashi Tharoor has written a letter to the Centre to enquire into why there was this lapse in warning people. If they had issued warning in time, then much loss of lives could have been avoided, and maybe much damage to property could have been avoided. Sir, you will realise that the problem with the cyclone was that this originated in the South West of Sri Lanka. Normally what happens, cyclones travel upwards at the rate of 13-14 km. an hour.

14.00 hrs People expected it to go towards Maldives. But, instead of going towards Maldives, it came towards the Lakshadweep and the Kerala side. People were taken totally by surprise. As I said, normally the Arabian Sea is cooler than the Bay of Bengal. As a result of this, less cyclones take place in the Arabian Sea than in the Bay of Bengal. That has led to a state of mind. What is immediately necessary is to look into the early warning systems in place in Kerala and in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu as also Lakshadweep. I had been to the picturesque Island of Lakshadweep. It is totally a small pearl in the middle of the sea. People are helpless in Lakshadweep and in Kavarati. This early warning system ought to be in place so that the routine is worked out properly.

माननीय सभापति : गृह मंत्री जी, वेणुगोपाल जी आपसे एक छोटा सवाल पूछना चाहते हैं।

SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL: Hon. Minister, we are raising a serious issue of early warning system. As you rightly pointed out, the Central Government agency has given three, four warnings to the Government of Kerala about deep depression. But as per your records, the message about cyclone was given only on 30th November at 12.30 p.m. Therefore, there is a need for an enquiry into that. Had the warning been given at an early date, things would have been different. But, both the Central Government and the State Government failed in this regard. It is not the fault of the fishermen. We could have saved the fishermen. This is a special case. It is a national calamity. Therefore, there is a need for a separate package for this purpose. There is also a need for an enquiry into this matter. I would like to know whether the Home Minister is going to reply on that.