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The tragic landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, which claimed over 200 lives, has sparked a political blame game between the Centre and the state government, with each side accusing the other of failing to adequately prepare for the disaster. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in Parliament, alleged that the Kerala government disregarded early warnings issued by the Centre, leading to a higher casualty count. He pointed to the deployment of nine NDRF teams on July 23rd as evidence of the Centre's proactive efforts, questioning why the state did not take more decisive action in evacuating residents from vulnerable areas.
However, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan vehemently disputed Shah's claims, asserting that the NDRF teams were deployed at the state's request due to the intensifying monsoon. He further argued that the meteorological forecasts issued by agencies like the IMD, GSI, and Central Water Commission were unreliable, with no red alert issued for Wayanad before the landslide. Vijayan highlighted that despite an orange alert issued by the IMD, the rainfall significantly exceeded the predicted levels, and a red alert was only issued after the disaster struck.
The exchange highlights the complexities of disaster preparedness and the difficulties in coordinating responses between different levels of government. While the Centre emphasized its role in providing early warnings and deploying resources, the Kerala government stressed its own actions and criticized the accuracy of the forecasts. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of natural disasters and the critical need for effective collaboration and communication among all stakeholders involved in disaster management.