Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to Odisha while blaming Kerala government’s delayed response to early warnings on heavy rains and landslides sent by the Centre.
He said that the state government was ill prepared even after the central government issued an alert on July 23. “The warnings continued for three days and on July 26, it was told that there would be a heavy downpour of more than 20 centimetres which can trigger landslides, slush and likely deaths of people under debris,” he said.
The Home Minister said the Centre also despatched 9 NDRF teams to Kerala considering that there could be landslides. “…What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were shifted then how did they die?” he asked.
“Members are raising questions about the warning system. Instead of shouting ‘please listen to us,’ please read the warning sent to the state,” he told the Rajya Sabha.
He was responding to the calling-attention motion moved by CPI(M) MP Dr John Brittas, who wanted the Wayanad landslides to be declared a national disaster.
The Home Minister further stated that many state governments have followed the Centre’s warnings, resulting in zero casualty disaster management.
Referring to Odisha, he said: “We had issued alert for cyclone almost seven days in advance when the state was being governed by the Naveen Patnaik-led government, and only one life was lost and that, too, by mistake,” he said.
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He also mentioned that a similar alert was sent to the Gujarat government three days before a cyclone and timely action then had led to zero casualty. “I have only one request that all state governments should take preventive action following early warnings issued to them. I want to assure the people of Kerala that the Government of India is standing like a rock with the state government and we will spare no effort for relief and rehabilitation,” he added.
In response, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hit out at Centre, saying, it’s not the time for blame game.
Wayanad witnessed three landslides within a span of four hours on Tuesday amid heavy rain, leaving a trail of destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages. The tragedy has claimed over 180 lives with hundreds still missing.
