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A political storm has erupted in India following devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, with the state government and the central government engaged in a heated exchange over warnings and response to the disaster. The tragedy, which claimed over 150 lives and injured over 200, has sparked accusations and counter-accusations, highlighting the complexities of disaster management and political accountability in a disaster-prone country like India.
At the heart of the controversy is the issue of timely warnings and the effectiveness of disaster preparedness measures. Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Parliament, asserted that the Centre had issued early warnings to the Kerala government as early as July 23, including a red alert for potential landslides. He claimed that the Centre had deployed nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to Kerala in anticipation of heavy rainfall. Shah went on to criticize the Kerala government, alleging that it had failed to heed these warnings and evacuate people in time, leading to the tragic loss of lives.
However, Kerala Health Minister Veena George vehemently denied the Centre's claims, stating that no red alert for landslides was issued by the Centre. She emphasized that thorough checks of all messages from the central government revealed no such alert. Ms. George maintained that the district administration acted based on an orange alert, which is a lower level of severity, and took preventive measures, including evacuating residents to safer locations.
The contrasting claims have sparked a fierce political debate, with the opposition parties accusing the BJP government of neglecting its responsibility in disaster management. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, representing Wayanad in Parliament, urged the government to provide all possible aid to the affected people and address the ecological concerns contributing to such disasters. He and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are scheduled to visit the relief camps in Wayanad.
Meanwhile, BJP member Tejasvi Surya criticized Rahul Gandhi for not raising the issue of landslides in his constituency previously. He also alleged that illegal encroachments in Wayanad, ignored due to pressure from religious organizations, exacerbated the disaster. These remarks sparked protests from Congress members, leading to a brief adjournment of the parliamentary proceedings.
The tragic incident has brought into focus the crucial need for robust early warning systems, effective coordination between state and central governments, and a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness. Experts from various fields have called for a review of disaster management protocols, highlighting the need for better communication, transparency, and accountability in dealing with such emergencies. The Wayanad landslides serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of India to natural disasters and the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy to mitigate their impact.
Source: No Red Alert Issued By Centre For Landslides: Kerala Minister To NDTV