Can Wayanad tragedy be declared a national disaster? ‘No provision’, says govt

NEW DELHI: Recently, there has been a growing demand to declare the devastating landslide in Wayanad, which claimed the lives of over 400 people, as a national disaster. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been at the forefront of this demand.

However, can the Wayanad tragedy be declared as a national disaster?

“There is no provision to declare a natural disaster as a national disaster in the guideline,” news agency ANI quoted government sources as saying.

This statement was in line with a 2013 Lok Sabha reply by the then Congress-led UPA government minister, Mullappally Ramachandran. This response was given to the question on whether the government has fixed any norms for declaring a calamity of severe nature striking the country as a “national calamity”.

The reply further elaborated that the government assesses severe calamities on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the intensity and magnitude of the calamity, the level of relief assistance required, the state government’s capacity to handle the situation, and the flexibility available within the plan to provide relief.

The primary focus is on immediate relief and response assistance, and there are no fixed prescribed norms. However, for severe calamities, additional assistance is considered by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) after following the established procedure.

In 2013, the minister also emphasized that the concerned state governments are primarily responsible for undertaking necessary rescue and relief measures in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Earlier, on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi addressed the Lok Sabha, urging the Central government to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster, provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package for those affected, and increase the compensation given to the victims.

He shared his firsthand experience of the devastation, pain, and suffering he witnessed during his visit to Wayanad with his sister. Gandhi commended the various departments involved in search and rescue efforts and praised the unity displayed by all communities in helping each other.

The Congress leader also acknowledged the efforts of the Union and Kerala state governments, along with personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Fire Department, and others, as well as the assistance provided by neighboring states

The massive landslides that hit Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30 caused widespread devastation, with the district administration reporting 226 bodies recovered and 403 body parts found in the disaster-hit area.

Courtesy : TOI

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