On 22 December 2023, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman conducted a press conference to provide insights into the Central Government’s actions in response to the recent floods affecting Chennai and the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
She said that the DMK government in Tamil Nadu failed to take adequate precautions steps to tackle the monsoons adding that no lessons had been learnt from the 2015 floods.
She accused the DMK government of negligence in handling the heavy rainfall situation in the southern parts of the state. According to Nirmala Sitharaman, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had provided advanced warning, but the government failed to implement precautionary measures.
Countering Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, YouTurn, a self-styled fact-checking outlet that is known for peddling Dravidianist propaganda under the garb of fact-checking, put out an X post claiming that the IMD’s statement on 12 December 2023, only indicated heavy rainfall for a few specific locations, refuting Sitharaman’s claims.
The Propaganda
“December 12: Heavy rain (6.45 to 11.5 cm) will occur at a few places on 16th. December 15: Very heavy rains from 16th to 18th. Orange Alert (11.5 to 20 cm). December 17, 1 PM: Very heavy rain on 17th. (Red Alert (above 20 cm) for very heavy rain on 18th. Orange Alert (11.5 to 20 cm).
Rainfall from 8:30 AM on December 17 to 8:30 AM on December 18:
Kayalpattinam 94.6 cm
Tiruchendur 68.9 cm
Srivaikagundam 62.1 cm
Moolaikaraipatti 61.5 cm
Manjoli 55.2 cm”
YouTurn claimed that the IMD had only issued a warning saying that isolated rainfall would occur in southern districts of Tamil Nadu on December 12 and 16. YouTurn claimed that there was no mention of heavy rainfall or extremely heavy rainfall.
IMD வெளியிட்ட அறிக்கைகள்:
டிசம்பர் 12: 16ம் தேதி ஓரிரு இடங்களில் கனமழை (6.45 to 11.5 செ.மீ) பெய்யும்.
டிசம்பர் 15: 16 முதல் 18ம் தேதிக்கு மிக கனமழை பெய்யும். ஆரஞ்சு அலர்ட் (11.5 to 20 செ.மீ).
டிசம்பர் 17 மதியம் 1 மணி: 17ஆம் தேதி அதி கனமழை பெய்யும். (ரெட் அலர்ட் (20 செ.மீ… pic.twitter.com/NDvCKdAvMP
— youturn (@youturn_in) December 22, 2023
However, YouTurn has been found peddling half-truths to peddle DMK propaganda.
The Truth
IMD typically issues rainfall alerts in four categories: Green, Yellow, Orange and Red and this is what they signify.
Green – No Advisory: A green alert signifies that while there may be a weather event in the vicinity, it does not warrant the issuance of any advisory.
Yellow – Exercise Caution: A yellow alert indicates adverse weather conditions with a likelihood of deterioration, potentially leading to disruptions in daily routines.
Orange – Get Ready: An orange alert is issued when exceptionally severe weather is anticipated, carrying the potential for disruptions in transportation, including road, rail, and air, as well as power supply interruptions.
Red – Take Immediate Action: A red alert is issued in anticipation of extremely severe weather conditions that are likely to significantly disrupt transportation, power distribution, and even pose a potential risk to life.
A Yellow Alert signifies potentially dangerous rainfall, which was given to Tamil Nadu on 12 December 2023 which should’ve made the government to brace for impact. An Orange Alert, indicative of very heavy rainfall, requires the State Disaster Response Force to implement necessary precautionary actions and be ready.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an early warning in the form of an Orange Alert for the southern regions of Tamil Nadu, indicating the likelihood of “very heavy rain,” ranging from 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm over a 24-hour period. This forecast aligns with the observed rainfall data in various areas of southern Tamil Nadu during the period from 8:30 am on 17 December 2023 to 8:30 am on 18 December 2023:
– Kayalpattinam: 94.6 cm
– Tiruchendur: 68.9 cm
– Srivaikundam: 62.1 cm
– Moolaikaraipatti: 61.5 cm
– Manjolai: 55.2 cm
The recorded rainfall in these locations substantiates the IMD’s warning, emphasizing the accuracy of the early alert regarding the potential for significant precipitation in the specified region.
A Red Alert, is declared only 12 hours before the expected time of cyclone’s landfall. The same is present in the Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Plan 2023 released by the current DMK government.
#FactCheck Youturn FactCheck(?) தம்பிக்கு.. IMD நான்கு Categoryல மட்டுமே மழை அறிக்கை கொடுக்கும் என்பதை கூறிக்கொண்டு …
முழுமையாக இதன் Standard Operating Procedure என்ன என்பதை பார்போம்..
1)முதலில் Yellow Alert (Heavy Rainfall)கொடுத்தாலே அது Potentially dangerous Rainfallஆக… https://t.co/cZZgaHnkM7 pic.twitter.com/TqrBT7e79I
— Only Truth (@OnlyTruth2024) December 22, 2023
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