The Home Minister stated that the Centre had warned the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government a week before the landslides struck Wayanad.
New Delhi: Union Minister Amit Shah today informed Parliament that the Kerala government received an early warning about potential landslides on July 23. Despite this, over 150 people died and 200 were injured when devastating landslides struck Wayanad district on Tuesday. Rescue operations are ongoing for 180 others who are missing.
The Home Minister claimed that the Centre had warned the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government a week before the landslides. Additionally, nine NDRF teams were dispatched to Kerala after heavy rainfall was predicted for the state.
“Nine NDRF teams were sent to Kerala in advance. The Kerala government did not evacuate people in time,” Amit Shah stated in the Rajya Sabha.
“India is among four countries that can provide warnings on natural disasters at least seven days in advance,” he added.
Shah emphasized that the deaths due to the landslides could have been minimized if the Kerala government had acted on the arrival of the NDRF teams.
“The Narendra Modi government stands like a rock with the Kerala government and the people to deal with the Wayanad tragedy,” he asserted.
Union Minister George Kurian, who visited Wayanad on Tuesday night, mentioned that PM Modi is closely monitoring the situation.
“The central government is monitoring the situation at the highest level. The Honourable Prime Minister is overseeing the situation and has sent me to visit the affected areas. Both control rooms of the Ministry of Home Affairs are operating 24×7 to provide all possible assistance to the state,” he said.
The Army and the Air Force are also involved in the rescue efforts. Two columns of army personnel and two IAF helicopters have been deployed. Additionally, the NDRF, SDRF, and a dog squad are assisting in the rescue operations.
