Flood preparedness: Deficiencies pointed out before 2018, Kerala HC told

KOCHI: A total of eight deficiencies in the functioning of the state’s disaster management system was pointed out during a performance audit conducted before the 2018 floods, accountant general has informed the Kerala High Court.
The submission by S Sunil Raj, accountant general (general and social sector audit) was in the form of a counter affidavit filed before the court on Wednesday.
As per the affidavit, a performance audit was conducted during 2016-17 on the functioning of the disaster management system of the state covering the period from 2011-12 to 2015-16. The findings of the comptroller and auditor general have been included in the audit report (revenue sector) for the year ended March 31st, 2016 and the same was presented before the Kerala State Legislature on March 6th, 2017, the affidavit said.
"Salient findings of the Audit were absence/delayed preparation of disaster management plans, lack of dedicated staff, failure to constitute Village Disaster Management Committees, deficiencies in functioning of emergency operating centres, failure of early warning systems, low priority for awareness and preparedness, non-constitution of state disaster response force, non-establishment of mitigation funds," the affidavit filed by the accountant general said.
The court was also told that a performance audit on flood control measures taken in the state would be conducted so as to include it in the audit report of 2018-19 and the audit would begin from April this year, the affidavit said.