Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assertion that the state government received early weather warnings prior to the heavy rainfall that triggered devastating landslides in Wayanad, resulting in numerous fatalities.
During a discussion on the Calling Attention Motion in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah stated that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted heavy rainfall in Kerala at least a week before the landslides. He also mentioned that eight teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed on July 23.
"On July 18, it was predicted that Kerala's western coast would experience above-normal rainfall. By July 25, it was forecasted there would be heavy rain. On July 23 itself, eight teams of the NDRF were dispatched to the region," Shah detailed.
No red alerts were issued for Wayanad before landslides: CM
In response, CM Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted that despite IMD's forecasts, no red alerts had been issued for Wayanad before the landslides. The district, which received over 500 millimetres of rainfall, experienced significantly more severe weather than anticipated.
Vijayan noted that the IMD had only issued an orange alert, indicating rainfall between 6 cm and 20 cm, whereas a red alert, which signals extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, was not declared.
"A red alert was issued for the district only after the landslides occurred on Tuesday morning," Vijayan clarified at a press conference.
Not a time for a blame game: CM
The chief minister emphasized that this is not a time for a "blame game" and that he did not interpret Shah's comments in an adversarial manner.
Providing an update on the ongoing search and rescue operations, Vijayan reported that 1,592 people have been rescued so far, and 82 relief camps have been established in Wayanad, accommodating 2,017 individuals.
“The cabinet meeting reviewed the situation. We are relocating tribal families and providing food to those unwilling to move,” the chief minister stated.
“Today, an additional 132 army personnel have arrived to support the rescue efforts. Two helicopters are also being utilized for the rescue operations. Post-mortems were conducted both yesterday and last night,” he added.
Army intensifies its efforts to rescue people
On the second day of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation, the Indian Army has intensified its efforts to rescue people stranded after multiple devastating landslides struck Wayanad in Kerala on 30th July 2024. Since the initial requisition received from the civil administration in early hours of 30th July, six HADR columns comprising a strength of around 500 personnel including medical staff along with bridging equipment and rescue dogs have been deployed. Around 1000 people have been rescued by the Army, provided medical aid and evacuated to the safer places.
Southern Naval Command joins rescue operations
The Southern Naval Command dispatched a disaster relief team of 68 personnel from INS Zamorin at Ezhimala to the landslide affected site. The rescue team comprising of skilled personnel along with medical team and necessary equipment reached the site on 30 July 24. Additional teams have been kept standby for deployment at short notice and will be mobilised as required.