“Wayanad landslides: Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed in Parliament on Wednesday that the central government’s early warning system had alerted the Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, about potential weather anomalies and natural disasters ‘seven days before’ the devastating landslides that claimed over 150 lives in Wayanad district.
Amit Shah stated, ‘On July 23, the government of India provided an early warning to the Kerala government, which was seven days before the incident.’
He further emphasized that the Centre had issued multiple early warnings to Kerala prior to the heavy rains that triggered a series of catastrophic landslides in the state.
‘On July 24 and 25, additional early warnings were issued. On July 26, a warning was given about the possibility of heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm, along with the risk of landslides, mudflow, and potential loss of life,’ Shah added.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah criticized the Kerala government for not responding to the early warnings or the arrival of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. He revealed that nine NDRF battalions were dispatched on July 23, with an additional three sent on July 30, yet the state failed to take sufficient action.
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader also criticized the Opposition for questioning the central government’s early warning systems and its response to the tragedy.
‘Questions are being raised about the government’s early warning system… The government has invested ₹2,000 crores since 2014 for the early warning system,’ Shah said, condemning the CPI(M) government in Kerala.
Amit Shah pointed out that several states, including Odisha and Gujarat, have effectively used early warnings provided by the Centre to mitigate the impact of natural disasters like cyclones.
The Home Minister suggested that had the Kerala government responded promptly to the early warning and acted quickly when the NDRF teams arrived, the extent of the losses could have been significantly reduced.
The series of catastrophic landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district has resulted in at least 158 fatalities and over 200 injuries, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
However, on Wednesday, MoS Home Nityanand Rai, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, stated that ‘133 bodies have been recovered so far.'”
