Three-member committee to probe fishermen’s recent tragedy

By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The recent cyclonic catastrophe that devastated the coastal belt and cost many lives, is a natural disaster that shocked the country after the tsunami in 2004.

Met Department digital map indicating the cyclonic weather

A southern islet being lashed by strong waves

Large groups gather a Air Force rescuing point

With a death toll of 51 fishermen who were drowned in the sea and over 40 fishing boats capsizing, from the Western to the Southern coastal belt – the incident raised alarm bells. Accusations were levelled against those responsible that the tragedy could have been averted with adequate warning.

Allegations were levelled against the Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Ministry of Fisheries for not giving a clear warning to the fisher folk to refrain from going out to sea during bad weather conditions.

Many complained that the incompetence of the Meteorological Department as the foremost warning body of the country had lead to a situation where seven fishermen were still missing since last Saturday’s disaster.

Meanwhile, the Met Department rejected these allegations as they passed the buck to the Fisheries Department saying that the latter was informed in advance about the bad weather and that it was not their duty to issue warnings to fishermen to refrain from going out to sea.

The Fisheries Department was hesitant to take the responsibility saying that it was too late when they were informed of bad weather conditions by the Met Department and that it never warned them to urge fishermen to refrain from going out to sea.

The same allegation was levelled against the Ministry of Disaster Management saying that they failed to do their bit during a disaster. Minister in charge Mahinda Amaraweera made a public statement that he was even ready to resign from his post if his Ministry was found guilty.

Since none of the authorities were taking the responsibility for the lives that were lost, a special committee was appointed under the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to look into the matter and frame those who were responsible for negligence.

A three-member committee lead by former Director General of the Meteorological Department, A.W. Mohottala, a retired High Court Judge and a retired Secretary is currently recording statements and collecting evidence from the parties involved in managing the disaster.

The Met Department and Fisheries Department have reportedly given evidence before the committee and the Disaster Management Centre is to give evidence after which a final report will be submitted to the President within a period of 14 days.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Observer spoke to the Met Department to comprehend what really happened on the day of the disaster. A senior officer of the Met Department who wished to remain anonymous refuting allegations said that they did their work as usual.

The Met Department issues three weather forecasts everyday at 5.30 am, 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm. The developing bad weather condition was first apprised at 12.00 noon where the message was sent to many units including the Fisheries Department, the National Building Research Organisation, the DMC through a number of state and private media organisations, he said.

He explained that a weather condition known as “Low Level Jet,” a narrow band of air with strong winds comes with the active monsoon may reach the country and may sometimes reach the ground.

This was first noticed on June 7, Friday about 5000feet above the ground level at a speed of 90kmph. As long as the winds remain above the ground, their will be no harm but as soon they noticed it above Sri Lanka a weather warning was issued suspecting it may touch ground level at any time causing a cyclonic situation.

According to the meteorological technology currently exits in the world there is no way of accurately predicting the time a Low Level Jet would touch the ground. Instead the meteorologist can warn that there may be such situations and be prepared for that.

Besides another important factor is that small boats used by fishermen cannot travel at a wind speed of 60kmph without capsizing. This is a technical fact known by the Fisheries Department and those who are in the marine industry. When we informed that winds of 60kmph were expected the Fisheries authorities should have given the warning to fishermen not to go to sea. It is not the Met Department’s duty to tell fishermen not to go to the sea. However, following the catastrophe the Met Department was advised to issue warnings to fishermen to refrain from going to sea in future bad weather conditions.

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[Warning issued by Met dept. on the day of the tragedy]

Weather Forecast for sea areas around the island during the next 24 hours (Issued at 1200 noon June 7, 2013).

There thunder showers at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Galle. Showers can be expected in other sea areas around the island too.

Winds will be in a Southwesterly direction and the speed will be 30-40 km/hr. The speed may increase upto 50-60kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo and Galle as well as the sea areas off the coast extending from Jaffna to Trincomalee.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo and Galle as well as the sea areas off the coast extending from Jaffna to Trincomalee will be rough at times.

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