Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Seeks PM Modi’s Help for Wayanad Landslide Victims and Climate Change Challenges
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 10: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested financial support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help those affected by the Wayanad landslide and to address climate change challenges.
During PM Modi’s visit to the disaster-affected region in Wayanad, CM Vijayan presented a memorandum detailing the scale of the disaster and the need for advanced research facilities and modern climate monitoring systems. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of declaring the landslide a ‘national disaster’ and requested cooperation from Central Government departments for effective disaster management.
CM Vijayan explained that the state has been significantly impacted by global warming and climate change, leading to frequent and unpredictable natural disasters. This year’s heatwave was the most intense in Kerala’s history, and the sudden landslide is also a consequence of climate change.
The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to establish special centres and regional offices with advanced research facilities in Kerala, associated with institutions like the Geological Survey of India, the India Meteorological Department, the National Seismic Center, and the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services. Modern systems for climate monitoring need to be implemented, including high-resolution hazard assessment tools, land use planning maps, and LiDAR-based digital elevation models.
The state government established the Institute of Climate Change Studies in Kottayam in 2015 to study climate change. To enhance the research capabilities of this institute and address the local challenges posed by climate change, substantial financial support from the Central Government is essential. Additionally, the Kerala Climate Change Adaptation Mission is working on long-term projects to help the state cope with climate change. Both institutions require generous financial support and technical assistance to ensure the state’s safety and progress in the face of climate change.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s visit to Wayanad and requested that he instruct the relevant Central Government departments to cooperate with the state government in assessing the extent of the disaster. Adequate financial support is essential for the state’s rapid reconstruction efforts and long-term climate change mitigation initiatives.
Considering the severity and impact of the disaster, the Chief Minister urged that the landslide in Wayanad be declared a ‘severe disaster’ and a ‘national disaster’ as soon as possible. Over 300 people lost their lives as massive landslides hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai of Wayanad on July 30 following incessant rainfall.
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Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters, beaches, and rich culture.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state.
Pinarayi Vijayan -: Pinarayi Vijayan is the current Chief Minister of Kerala. He is a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, who is the Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government for the entire country.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in Kerala, known for its hills, forests, and wildlife. It is a popular tourist destination.
Landslide -: A landslide is when a large amount of earth, rocks, and debris suddenly slide down a slope. It can cause a lot of damage to buildings and roads.
Climate Change -: Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns. It can lead to extreme weather events like heavy rains and droughts.
Memorandum -: A memorandum is a written document that explains a situation or request. In this case, it details the impact of the landslide and the need for help.
National Disaster -: Declaring something a ‘national disaster’ means recognizing it as a very serious event that needs help from the entire country.
Central Government -: The Central Government is the main government of India, which makes decisions for the whole country. It is different from state governments.
