Kerala Landslide: Minister Nityanand Rai and Amit Shah Discuss IMD Warnings and State Preparedness
New Delhi, August 2: Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, shared details in Parliament about the landslide in Wayanad, Kerala. He mentioned that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had warned about heavy rainfall and potential landslides from July 23 to July 29.
IMD Warnings
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the IMD had been issuing warnings of heavy rainfall in Kerala, which could lead to landslides. He emphasized that the state government should have taken measures to relocate people to safer areas.
State Government’s Response
Kerala’s Chief Minister questioned the IMD’s alerts, stating that no orange alert was issued for heavy rain between July 23 and July 28. An orange alert was issued for Wayanad on July 29, and a red alert was issued on July 30, after the landslide occurred.
Additional Facts
Rai clarified that disaster management is primarily the responsibility of state governments. He mentioned that the IMD had predicted above-normal rainfall for Kerala in its forecasts issued on July 18 and July 25. The IMD’s daily weather bulletins also predicted heavy rainfall for Kerala from July 29 to July 30.
Geological Sensitivity
Rai highlighted the geological sensitivity of the Malappuram region, which experienced a significant landslide in August 2019. Efforts have since been made to improve disaster risk assessment and mapping in such vulnerable areas.
Conclusion
Rai concluded that the state government had ample time to take action based on the IMD and Geological Survey of India’s warnings. He emphasized the need for better disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in geologically sensitive areas.
Doubts Revealed
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India, known for its beautiful landscapes, backwaters, and rich culture.
Landslide -: A landslide is when a large amount of earth, rocks, and debris suddenly slide down a slope, often caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.
Nityanand Rai -: Nityanand Rai is an Indian politician who serves as a Minister of State for Home Affairs in the Indian government.
Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a senior Indian politician and the current Union Home Minister of India, responsible for internal security and law and order.
IMD -: IMD stands for India Meteorological Department, which is the government agency responsible for weather forecasting and monitoring in India.
Wayanad -: Wayanad is a district in the state of Kerala, known for its hills, forests, and wildlife.
Parliament -: Parliament is the supreme legislative body in India, where laws are made and important national issues are discussed.
Chief Minister -: The Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a Prime Minister but at the state level.
Geological sensitivity -: Geological sensitivity means that the land in a particular area is prone to natural events like landslides or earthquakes due to its physical characteristics.
Disaster management -: Disaster management involves planning and responding to natural or man-made disasters to minimize damage and help people recover quickly.
