“Warning were sent”: Amit Shah claims Kerala was given early warnings prior to the Wayanad landslides

Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday said that the Kerala government was given an ‘early warning’ on July 23 and July 24, a week before the devastating landslides took place in Wayanad resulting in over 150 deaths and leaving over 190 people injured. Shah alleged negligence on part of the Pinarayi Vijayan Kerala government for failing to evacuate people in time whereas, nine NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams were sent to Kerala in advance.

"I want to clarify that on July 23, the Centre gave an early warning to the Kerala government, seven days before the incident, and then on July 24 and 25, we had warned them again. On July 26, a warning was given that there was a chance of heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, and there were chances of landslides", said the Union Home Minister.

Amit Shah began his speech by offering condolences to the families of the victims of the Wayanad landslides and slammed the Opposition for politicizing the issue. Responding to the questions regarding the Early Warning System of the government, he said that “instead of shouting, read the warnings that were sent." "Using early warning system, on July 23, nine NDRF teams were sent to Kerala after my directions, considering the possibility of landslides. What did the Kerala government do? Were the people shifted? And if they were shifted, then how did they die?" asked Shah questioning the state government's failure to implement preventive measures.

The Union Home Minister mentioned that only four countries in the world issue disaster warnings seven days in advance and India is one of them. He asserted that the government has spent Rs 2000 crore on this system since 2014 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power. However, Shah said that he did not want to blame anyone for the lapse and the Modi government will firmly stand like a rock with the people and the government of Kerala during this crisis irrespective of party politics. "Those who are saying that there is no provision by which the state government can release the disaster funds are wrong. Under the State Disaster Response Fund, states have the authority to release up to 10% of the allocated funds without the Centre's approval,” clarified Amit Shah addressing concerns about the disaster fund allocation.

Multiple landslides struck Wayanad on Tuesday within a span of few hours amid heavy rain resulting in destruction of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha villages. Several people were swept away in the Chaliyar river and many feared to be trapped under the debris after houses, shops, and bridges were destroyed in the pre-dawn landslides.  The Indian Army said on Wednesday that it had rescued at least 1,000 people so far and the state government said that 45 relief camps have been set up accommodating around 3,000 people.