Amit Shah claims Kerala ignored early warning on landslides

In a statement to Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that the Kerala government was given an early warning on landslides on July 23. Despite this advance notice, the disaster claimed over 150 lives, left 200 people injured, and continues to pose challenges with 180 individuals still missing. Shah’s remarks have drawn attention to the response of the Kerala government and the measures taken by the central authorities to mitigate the impact of the disaster.

Criticism of Kerala’s Response to the Warning on Landslides

Amit Shah highlighted that, despite receiving the warning on landslides, the Kerala government failed to evacuate residents in a timely manner. “Nine NDRF teams were sent in Kerala in advance. The Kerala government did not evacuate people in time,” Shah stated. He emphasized that the central government had alerted Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan administration about the impending landslides a week before the disaster, following predictions of heavy rainfall. This early warning was intended to help the state prepare and implement necessary precautions to protect its citizens.

Shah criticized the Kerala government’s response to the situation, asserting that the tragedy could have been mitigated with more effective action. “The Kerala government was warned by the Centre a week before the landslides. Nine NDRF teams were sent to Kerala in advance,” he said. Shah also pointed out that India is among the few nations capable of providing such early warnings for natural disasters, underscoring the importance of heeding these alerts to prevent or reduce the impact of such events.

Central Government’s Support and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

In response to the disaster, the central government has provided significant support to Kerala. “The Narendra Modi government is standing like a rock with the Kerala government and the people to deal with the Wayanad tragedy,” Shah said, reaffirming the central government’s commitment to assisting the state during this crisis. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies, has been actively involved in the rescue operations.

Union Minister George Kurian, who visited Wayanad on the night of the disaster, confirmed that Prime Minister Modi is closely overseeing the situation. The rescue efforts have been extensive, involving the NDRF, the Army, and the Air Force. Two army columns and two Indian Air Force helicopters have been deployed to aid in the operations. The NDRF, SDRF, and a specialized dog squad are all engaged in the search and rescue missions, working tirelessly to locate and assist those affected by the landslides.

The scale of the rescue operations reflects the gravity of the situation and the central government’s dedication to providing support. The tragic events in Wayanad highlight the critical importance of timely and effective responses to early warnings on natural disasters. As the situation continues to unfold, the coordination between state and central authorities will be crucial in managing the aftermath of this devastating event and in implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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