On the Wayanad landslide, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Kerala CM and assured help from the Center and demanded a high-level investigation. The Kerala government has decided to conduct two separate investigations to investigate the causes of the accident and violation of environment clearance conditions.
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [भारत]July 8 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan over the Wayanad landslide tragedy and assured the state of full support from the Centre. He also called for a high-level investigation into the incident, in which three people lost their lives and five are missing.
Shah spoke to Satheesan over telephone to review the situation arising out of the landslide at the Kallady tunnel construction site in Wayanad district. During this interaction, the Union Home Minister took stock of the rescue and relief operations and assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance from the Central Government. The CMO said Shah also appreciated the steps taken by the Kerala government in response to the disaster.
Instructions for high level investigation of the incident
The Union Home Minister also urged the Chief Minister to initiate a high-level inquiry into the incident. In response, Satheesan informed him that a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy had already been approved at the state cabinet meeting held earlier in the day.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Kerala Cabinet had announced two separate investigations into the landslide. One investigation will ascertain the circumstances that led to the accident, while the other will determine whether the conditions for environmental clearance prescribed for the tunnel construction project were followed.
There will be two separate investigations
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Satheesan said, “Today’s cabinet meeting appraised the tragedy that occurred in Wayanad and reviewed all the reports received so far. It has been decided to initiate technical and legal proceedings to investigate the causes of this accident.” He said initial reports showed that another landslide had occurred above the affected site and further decisions would be taken after examining those findings.
The chief minister also said the Center had given environmental clearance for the tunnel project with strict conditions, and compliance with those guidelines would now be checked. He said, “The central government had given environmental clearance for this tunnel construction project with strict instructions. Whether the contractors followed them or not will be investigated. The work will resume only after all accident risks are assessed; till then, the construction will remain suspended. Two separate investigations will be conducted: one into the cause of the accident and the other into whether the environmental clearance guidelines were followed.”
Rescue operation continues, IMD’s yellow alert
On Tuesday, a landslide occurred at the tunnel construction site at Kallady in Meppadi Gram Panchayat, burying a large part of the work site under mud and debris. The rescue operation continued for the second day on Wednesday, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and rescue services, civil defense and police continuing to search for the five missing workers.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Wayanad, predicting heavy rainfall at isolated places, while the Kerala Police has registered a case under section 194 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). Rescue and investigation efforts are ongoing. (ANI)
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