On the morning of 30th July 2024, India woke up to the devastating news of massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The landslides particularly impacted 6 villages of the Wayanad district – Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, Meppadi and Kunhome. While the region is prone to landslides in the monsoon season, the extent has been particularly huge. It is now one of the most severe natural disasters to have occurred in India in the recent years, claiming the lives of over 400 people, injuring more than 200, with about 150 people still missing, and causing massive infrastructural and economic damages.
As per official reports, PM Modi is set to visit Wayanad and take personal stock of the situation on Saturday, August 10. After arriving at the Kannur airport, he will fly by an IAF helicopter to Wayanad where he will conduct an aerial survey. He is also expected to visit a few relief camps, hospital, and Bailey bridge, constructed by the Army in record time to aid relief and rescue operations, apart from meeting the injured and survivors. The Special Protection Group (SPG) and Kerala police are in close coordination to ensure a smooth travel for the prime minister. The governor and chief minister of the state might accompany him from Kannur.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi (also the current MP of Wayanad) visited the disaster site on Aug 1 along with Priyanka Gandhi, who is set to contest the by-elections from Wayanad after Mr. Gandhi decided to retain his Rae Bareilly seat and paved the way for his sister in the southern constituency. They also visited the injured individuals, relief camps and bereaved families.
The opposition has demanded the Central Government to declare the incident as a natural disaster and ensure a bulky and swift flow of funds to tackle the grave situation. The state Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also stated that the scale of the disaster is unprecedented in the country’s recent history and the Wayanad landslide should be declared a natural disaster. The government is contemplating on the matter and Suresh Gopi, Union Minister of State for Tourism and BJP MP from Thrissur stated that the central government will consider all parameters and weigh the legality of the demand.
Another dispute between the Centre and opposition over the incident has been regarding warning systems and preparedness of the state government to deal with the issue. On August 1, Amit Shah claimed that the Union government had given Kerala “early warning” of the heavy rains. However, Vijayan refuted his claims stating that the alert came only after the landslides. Also, on August 5, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav blamed illegal mining, uncontrolled construction, unregulated commercial activity and human habitation for the landslides. He targeted the CPI-M led state government for neglecting environmental factors such as soil topography, rock conditions, geomorphology, mountain slopes and vegetation structure while pursuing economic and other activities. The Chief Minister however refused any such allegations. He described Yadav’s remark as “motivated charge” and accused him of insulting the victims of the tragedy.
However, this is not the time and occasion for blame games and political opportunism. The people of Wayanad require the help of all stakeholders, across all party lines, from all levels of governments, in an impartial and non-partisan manner. They also require the support of the civil society and concerned citizens. The Prime Minister’s visit is an important step in this regard and must help in the quick relief and rehabilitation.
