Kerala Warned About Landslide A Week In Advance, Says Amit Shah

Pune, 31st July 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed in the Rajya Sabha that the Kerala government was warned about the devastating Wayanad landslide seven days before it occurred. Despite nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) being dispatched on 23rd July, the state government failed to act in time, resulting in significant casualties. Shah expressed condolences to the bereaved families and shared crucial information regarding the disaster during the session.

Kerala Government Did Not Act in Time: Amit Shah

Amit Shah emphasized that the central government had issued warnings about the potential landslide to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government on 23rd July. Further warnings were issued on the 24th and 25th of July, with specific details on the 26th of July predicting over 20 centimeters of heavy rain, potential landslides, and silt flow. Shah stated, “If the state government had acted on these warnings, many lives could have been saved.”

Amit Shah Cited Odisha as an Example

Shah highlighted successful examples where state governments acted on early warnings. He cited the Naveen Patnaik-led government in Odisha, which, after receiving a cyclone warning seven days, managed to prevent significant casualties. Similarly, Gujarat received a cyclone warning three days prior, resulting in zero fatalities, not even among animals.

Importance of Early Warning Systems

The Home Minister stressed the importance of early warning systems, noting that the Government of India has invested INR 2,000 crore in such systems since 2014. These systems provide states with warnings seven days in advance for various weather-related events, including heat, storms, cyclones, rain, and lightning.

Criticism of State’s Response

Shah criticized the Kerala government for not relocating people from vulnerable areas in time. He questioned why, despite early warnings and the presence of NDRF teams, the state did not take necessary precautions. Responding to interruptions from members, Shah noted that relocations happened after the incident, not before.

India’s Advanced Warning System by 2023

Shah also announced that by 2023, India would have the world’s most advanced early warning system, capable of predicting weather patterns seven days in advance. Currently, India is one of the few countries with such capabilities.

As of now, the Wayanad landslide has resulted in 158 reported deaths, with hundreds still missing. Shah assured the House that the Narendra Modi government stands firmly with the people and government of Kerala during this difficult time. This incident underscores the critical need for timely action on early warnings to prevent such tragedies.