The Union Home Minister highlighted a shift in disaster management strategies since the Modi government came into power in 2014. The current administration advocates for a “zero casualty” approach, focusing on proactive measures and early warnings to mitigate disaster impacts.
In a fervent address to both houses of Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah sharply criticized the Kerala government for its handling of the recent landslide disaster in Wayanad. The disaster, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, has ignited a political debate over the effectiveness of the state’s response and the role of the central government.
Shah’s remarks came as he participated in debates concerning the landslide tragedy, which has devastated parts of Wayanad district in Kerala. Expressing deep condolences to the victims and their families, Shah underscored that the Modi government stands firmly with the people and the state administration of Kerala during this crisis.
The Union Home Minister highlighted a shift in disaster management strategies since the Modi government came into power in 2014. He emphasized that prior to this period, India’s approach was primarily rescue-centric. In contrast, the current administration advocates for a “zero casualty” approach, focusing on proactive measures and early warnings to mitigate disaster impacts.
Disaster preparedness
Shah detailed the steps taken by the central government to address the disaster, including the early warnings issued to the Kerala government. According to Shah, the central authorities communicated warnings about the impending heavy rainfall and landslide risks starting from July 23, 2024—seven days before the disaster struck. He claimed that additional warnings were issued on July 24 and July 25, with a specific alert on July 26 about the possibility of heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm and associated landslide risks.
The Home Minister expressed frustration that despite these warnings, the Kerala government failed to act promptly to relocate people from high-risk areas. He criticized those accusing the central government of negligence, suggesting that if the warnings had been heeded, the situation might have been less severe. Shah questioned whether the opposition’s criticisms stemmed from ignorance of the early warning systems or if they were politically motivated.
Shah praised the Modi government’s investment in disaster preparedness, noting that over Rs 2,300 crore has been allocated to developing and maintaining one of the world’s most advanced Early Warning Systems since 2014. He highlighted successful examples from other states, such as Odisha and Gujarat, which had reported minimal casualties due to effective early warnings. In Odisha, a cyclone alert resulted in only one casualty, while Gujarat experienced no animal losses from a similar alert.
Political fallout
The Home Minister further explained that the Early Warning System covers a broad spectrum of disasters, including rainfall, storms, cyclones, heatwaves, cold waves, tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, and lightning. He expressed disappointment with the opposition’s apparent lack of understanding or misuse of the information regarding these systems.
On the operational front, Shah revealed that nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were airlifted to Kerala on July 23 in anticipation of the disaster. An additional three NDRF battalions were dispatched to the area in response to the ongoing crisis. Despite these efforts, Shah questioned why the Kerala government had not utilized the early warnings to evacuate vulnerable populations.
In his address, Shah also mentioned the financial resources available for disaster management. He highlighted that states have the autonomy to use up to 10 percent of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) without prior central approval, and he cited the significant funds allocated to West Bengal from 2014 to 2024, with a substantial portion already disbursed.
Shah concluded by reaffirming the central government’s commitment to supporting Kerala through this difficult time. He called for solidarity with the state government and its people, emphasizing that the Modi administration will continue to stand by Kerala as it navigates the aftermath of this tragic event.
The political fallout from the Wayanad landslides continues to unfold as various stakeholders weigh in on the effectiveness of disaster management strategies and the responsibilities of both state and central governments in preventing such tragedies
