Wayanad Landslides 2024

[Sreenivasulu Angayreddy]

Key Facts and Updates

• The Wayanad Landslides are a series of devastating landslides that occurred in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India.
• The landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall in the region, which resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.
• The most affected areas were the villages of Vythiri and Meppadi, where entire houses and buildings were washed away by the raging waters.
• According to official reports, the landslides claimed the lives of over 200 people, with many more still missing.
• The disaster also left thousands of people homeless, with many forced to take shelter in relief camps.
• The Kerala government declared the Wayanad Landslides a “national calamity” and sought assistance from the central government.
• Rescue efforts were led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities, who worked tirelessly to evacuate stranded people and provide aid.
• The landslides also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines.
• Environmental experts have warned that the landslides may have long-term consequences for the region’s ecosystem.
• These landslides have raised concerns about the need for improved disaster preparedness and mitigation measures in vulnerable regions.

[UPSC World]

Wayanad landslides as ‘National Disaster’?

• Recently, Kerala has requested the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslide in Vythiri taluk a ‘National Disaster’. The Central government is considering the legality of declaring the landslide a national disaster.
• There is no official or defined category of ‘national disasters’, however, these are significant events that can cause widespread damage, loss of life, and disruption to communities.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) oversees the management of disasters.
• NDMA is headed by the Prime Minister and was established in 2005.
• The state government is primarily responsible for disaster management, but the Centre provides additional assistance if needed.
• The Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs monitors the utilization of funds.
• A Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) is set up with a corpus shared between the Centre and State.
• Additional assistance is considered from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) if CRF resources are inadequate.
• The annual Central contribution is released in two equal installments.
• A natural disaster includes natural events like earthquakes, floods, and landslides.
• Man-made disasters can include nuclear, biological, and chemical incidents.
• There is no provision under existing guidelines to declare any disaster as a national calamity.