The Government of India has responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's request to declare the recent Wayanad landslides a national disaster by stating that "there is no provision to declare a natural disaster as a national disaster." This declaration follows widespread demands for national recognition of the disaster's severity, with Gandhi, the former MP from Wayanad, leading the charge.
Gandhi?s appeal came in the wake of catastrophic landslides that struck Kerala's Wayanad district, resulting in over 200 confirmed deaths and leaving many more missing. In a fervent plea during a Lok Sabha session, Gandhi urged the central government to recognize the landslides as a national disaster. He argued that such a designation would facilitate additional resources and support for the affected population. ?I visited Wayanad with my sister some days back and saw firsthand the devastation, pain, and suffering resulting from this tragedy,? Gandhi said. ?More than 200 people are dead, and many are missing, but the eventual casualty count is expected to exceed 400.?
In response, government sources reiterated a stance that has been consistent since a 2013 Lok Sabha reply from then Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran. According to the 2013 reply, ?The Government of India adjudges a calamity of severe nature on a case-by-case basis,? taking into account the intensity and magnitude of the disaster, the level of relief assistance required, and the state government's capacity to manage the crisis. The reply also clarified that the primary responsibility for rescue and relief operations lies with the concerned state governments.
The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) does provide additional support for severe calamities, but there are no fixed norms for declaring a natural disaster a national disaster. The focus remains on immediate relief and assistance rather than formal declarations.
Gandhi's call for increased support and a comprehensive rehabilitation package underscores the ongoing need for enhanced disaster response and recovery efforts. Despite the central government's position, the situation in Wayanad remains critical, and the demand for further aid continues to grow.
