NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke in the Rajya Sabha about the recent landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, emphasizing that the Centre had provided early warnings to the state government on July 23, 24, and 25.
Despite these warnings, the landslides on July 26 resulted in at least 158 deaths and over 200 injuries. Shah expressed his condolences to the families affected and stated, โThere should be no politicsโ on this issue.
Shah highlighted the Centreโs efforts in developing an early warning system, stating, โThe Centre has spent over Rs 2,000 crore for developing the early warning system since 2014. I want to clarify that on July 23, the Centre gave an early warning to the Kerala government, seven days before the incident, and then on July 24 and 25, we warned them again. On July 26, a warning was given that there was a chance of heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, and there were chances of landslides.โ
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He questioned the response of the Kerala government, asking, โWhat did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were shifted, then how did they die?โ However, Shah emphasized that he did not want to blame anyone for the lapse and called for unity, saying, โIt is time to stand with Kerala.โ
Three landslides struck Wayanad within four hours on Tuesday, causing significant destruction in the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha.
In response, 45 relief camps have been established, sheltering 3,069 people. An NDRF personnel warned that โthere were chances of another landslide as heavy rainfall continued in the district.โ
