Published Dec 31, 2024 | 1:04 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 31, 2024 | 1:04 PM
Rescue workers at the landslide-affected area (Wikimedia Commons)
The Union Government officially classified the July landslides that wreaked havoc in Kerala’s Wayanad district as a “disaster of severe nature.”
The decision, confirmed in a letter dated Monday, 30 December, was issued by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary Rajesh Gupta to Kerala Revenue and Disaster Management, and Housing Department Principal Secretary Tinku Biswal.
The letter responded to Kerala’s earlier request seeking recognition of the disaster that devastated four villages in Meppadi Gram Panchayat.
#Kerala: In a significant development, the Union Government has officially classified the landslide which struck Kerala’s #Wayanad district as a “disaster of severe nature.”
The announcement follows deliberations based on an assessment by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team… pic.twitter.com/gexaKIGkfA
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 30, 2024
It explained that financial assistance for such disasters is initially drawn from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and can be supplemented by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) following established protocols.
These procedures include assessments by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which had visited the affected areas of Meppadi, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala soon after the disaster to evaluate the damage.
Based on their findings, the Union government confirmed the landslide qualifies as a disaster of “severe nature.”
The designation allows the Kerala government to access additional funds from the NDRF for relief and rebuilding efforts.
The July landslide caused widespread devastation, claimed at least 298 lives, destroyed homes, and displaced several families. Entire communities were uprooted as the landslides swept through villages, leaving livelihoods and local economies in ruins.
Kerala had been appealing to the Union government for months to recognise the disaster’s severity and provide additional resources. The classification is expected to accelerate recovery efforts and provide much-needed relief to affected communities.
However, the Union government has yet to respond to Kerala’s demand for a special rehabilitation package to address the victims’ specific needs.
The confirmation drew mixed reactions. Vatakara MP Shafi Parambil, in a post on X, welcomed the classification but urged the Union government to expedite the release of a rehabilitation package.
Similarly, Alappuzha MP and Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal criticised the delay and credited the intervention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for pressuring the government into action.
“This is the power of the people of Wayanad and Kerala,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X. “Even the most arrogant forces are compelled to act. Since day one, we have demanded the Centre declare this a disaster of ‘severe nature,’ yet it has taken them five months to respond.”
This is the power of the people of Wayanad and Kerala – even the most arrogant forces are compelled to take action.
The Wayanad tragedy was one of the worst tragedies that we have ever endured.
Since day 1, we have been demanding that the Centre declare it a disaster of… https://t.co/F2Qq48M1GU
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 30, 2024
He also called on the Union government to announce a special rehabilitation package immediately, saying, “No stone should be left unturned to support the people of Wayanad.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to X to welcome the decision but urged swift allocation of funds.
“I am glad Amit Shah ji has finally declared the Wayanad tragedy a disaster of ‘severe nature,’” she wrote. “This will help those in need of rehabilitation and is a step in the right direction. Adequate funds must be allocated at the earliest.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
