VR Raman, policy head at WaterAid India, told The Quint that since Kerala is an ecologically vulnerable area, a lot has to be learnt from the Gadgil Committee report.

However, he said that such issues needs to be flagged and discussed separately, not during a time when the state is facing a massive disaster situation.

While the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is the most reliable source of information as of now, Raman felt that the systems and tools of the IMD yet need to be improved in order to adequately inform the planning, decision making and actions for tackling Kerala like situations.

“The state does not lack a comprehensive understanding of a fierce monsoon trend. When I was there in July, I could foresee the indicators of a troubling monsoon. In fact, if rains continue for more than 12-15 hours in certain districts, there is flooding in the streets,” Raman said.