Wayanad landslides | Despite inadequate warnings, government had taken precautions, says M.B. Rajesh

Kerala Minister discusses lack of warning for landslides, government response, and climate change initiatives post-disaster.

Although there was no warning indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in Wayanad on June 29, the Meppady panchayat had indeed evacuated some 150 people to safety before two massive landslides wreaked havoc in the region, according to M.B. Rajesh, Kerala’s Minister for Local Self-Governments.  

In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Rajesh said the panchayat officials had confirmed the safety of these people at an all-party meeting convened by the Chief Minister in Wayanad on August 1. 

“What happened was that the alerts issued by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) never predicted a disaster of this scale. The alert given by IMD was about a rainfall between 115 mm and 204 mm. First, it was a yellow alert and then it was an orange alert for the next 24 hours. But the actual amount of rainfall we received was 200% higher than what was predicted by IMD. It was 572 mm. The alert given by GSI was green. It was not about a high-intensity landslide. But based on these alerts, the government had taken precautionary measures. The gram panchayat had evacuated people from that area. But a tragedy of this scale was never expected. And the tragedy took place in an area about six km away from the origin of this landslide,” Mr. Rajesh said.  

There was no sufficient early warning,” he added.  

Mr. Rajesh said the entire state machinery swung into action immediately after news broke of the heart-breaking tragedy, with the Chief Minister closely monitoring the progress of rescue and relief operations.

“He sent a team of five members of the State Cabinet to Wayanad, and they are coordinating the rescue and relief operations. Two IAS officers have been appointed as special officers. We sought the help of the Army and other central agencies. The Army is in action, and they constructed a Bailey bridge which accelerated the rescue operations. It will take two more days for the rescue operations to be complete,” he said.  

The Minister said the issue of rehabilitation and rebuilding the lives of people affected topped the agenda of the State government. “A Cabinet subcommittee of four Ministers has been formed and they will take the lead in preparing a rehabilitation plan for Meppadi. But it will take time for the victims to come out of this huge tragedy and their psychological trauma,” he said.