The devastating landslide that struck Wayanad on July 30 has prompted mounting calls for the event to be declared a national disaster. Despite appeals from the Pinarayi Vijayan government, opposition leaders, and several MPs, such a declaration is currently not feasible under existing regulations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Wayanad on Saturday to assess the damage firsthand. His visit is expected to include meetings with victims in hospitals and relief camps, and the issue of declaring the landslide a national disaster is likely to be a key topic during his review meeting.
Rahul Gandhi’s Note Of Thanks
Former Wayanad MP and current Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has voiced his support for the national disaster designation. On social media, Gandhi stated, “Thank you, Modi ji, for visiting Wayanad to personally take stock of the terrible tragedy. This is a good decision. I am confident that once the Prime Minister sees the extent of the devastation firsthand, he will declare it a national disaster.”
Natural Disaster As A National Disaster
However, historical precedents indicate that such a declaration may not be possible. A 2013 Lok Sabha response from then Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran, clarified that there is no formal provision for designating a natural disaster as a national disaster. According to Ramachandran, the Indian government evaluates each calamity on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like intensity, relief needs, and state capacity. In cases deemed severe, additional aid from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) may be provided following established procedures.
Ramachandran also emphasized that state governments are primarily responsible for managing rescue and relief operations during natural disasters.
In response to the Wayanad crisis, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has already appealed to PM Modi to address the situation. State ministers and Kerala Assembly’s Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, have also supported this request.
On Friday, the state government presented a proposal for central assistance, requesting Rs 1,200 crore to cover estimated losses and an additional Rs 800 crore for various relief activities.
