Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Kerala government for its handling of the recent landslides in Wayanad, stating that more lives could have been saved if the state had acted on the early warnings provided by the central government. Shah emphasised that, despite political differences, the Narendra Modi-led central government remains committed to supporting the people of Kerala during this crisis.
The devastating landslides in Wayanad have resulted in a tragic death toll of 158, according to the Kerala Revenue Department. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah pointed out that the central government had issued early warnings about the risk of landslides and severe weather conditions. He noted that the warnings were given on July 23, with additional alerts on July 24, 25, and 26.
Shah revealed that on July 23, the government of India deployed nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Kerala, followed by three more teams the next day. Despite these preparations, Shah criticised the Kerala government for not taking adequate precautions to mitigate the impact of the disaster. He questioned the state’s response, asking why people were not evacuated if they were warned in advance.
The Home Minister underscored that the central government had invested Rs. 2000 crores in improving the early warning system since 2014. He mentioned that India now boasts one of the most advanced early warning systems globally, capable of predicting disasters up to seven days in advance. Despite this, Shah expressed frustration over the lack of action from the Kerala government, which he believes contributed to the high number of casualties.
In response to the ongoing crisis, rescue and relief operations in Wayanad are being ramped up. Currently, over 1,200 rescue workers from various agencies, including the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, and Indian Air Force, are working tirelessly in the affected areas. Efforts include evacuating stranded individuals and searching for survivors in the debris.
The landslides, which struck on the morning of July 30, have caused significant destruction. The first landslide hit Mundakkai at around 2 am, followed by a second in Chooralmala at 4:10 am.
The landslides have isolated several areas, destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure, making rescue operations challenging. The Vellarmala GVH School was completely buried under the rubble.
Despite the adverse weather and challenging conditions, the Indian Air Force has been involved in airlifting people from inaccessible areas, and the Indian Army has successfully rescued more than 1,000 individuals using makeshift bridges and other means.
The central government’s response highlights its commitment to disaster management and support for affected states, while also pointing fingers at the local government’s preparedness and response strategies. The ongoing situation in Wayanad underscores the importance of effective disaster management and prompt action in the face of natural calamities.
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