Wayanad tragedy cannot be declared as ‘national disaster’: Central government

Thiruvananthapuram: The central government has taken the stance that the landslide disaster that struck Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district should not be declared a national disaster. A letter communicating this decision was handed over to K.V. Thomas, the special representative of the Government of Kerala in New Delhi, by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityananda Rai.

While rejecting the state government's request to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster, the central government pointed out that the disaster management funds available to the state government are more than sufficient to handle the situation. On August 2, Kerala had submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the central government to declare the Wayanad tragedy a national disaster.

In response to this letter, the central government clarified its position. It emphasised that the primary responsibility for managing the disaster rests with the state government. The compensation for the survivors of the victims and other expenses related to disaster management should be drawn from the funds already allocated to the state by the central government.

According to the central government, Kerala has already received its share of disaster management funds. A total of Rs. 388 crores has been allocated in two installments. Additionally, Kerala's Advocate General informed the central government that the state currently holds Rs. 394.99 crores in its disaster relief fund. Based on this information, the central government maintains that the Kerala government has sufficient resources to address the situation.

This stance from the central government has dealt a setback to Kerala’s efforts to rebuild the two villages—Mundakkai and Chooralmala—which were devastated by the massive landslides that claimed the lives of around 420 people and left many others seriously injured.