NEW DELHI: The Kerala government under chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has decided on Tuesday to prioritise the scientific use of land and deployment of localised early warning systems to prevent disasters like the recent Wayanad landslides.
This approach aims to enhance state’s resilience against future natural calamities. The administration recognises that while climate-linked disasters cannot be fully prevented, their impacts can be majorly mitigated.
The worst-ever disaster in Kerala’s history took place on July 30, when landslides struck several villages in Wayanad, resulting in over 230 fatalities.
The tragedy unfolded in Punchirimattom, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai, as well as parts of Attamala, causing severe devastation. Numerous body parts were found under the debris and in the Chaliyar River.
“In an era of climate change, fragility is a matter that needs to be balanced with respect to ground realities, societal aspirations, and the boundaries laid down by the law,” chief minister Vijayan said.
He also emphasised that “most of the climate-linked disasters cannot be prevented fully. However, their impacts can be reduced.”
The Kerala government plans to enhance local resilience through the scientific use of land and community-based early warning systems. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster the state’s preparedness for future disasters. Relief shelters have already been established in 18 coastal local governments across nine coastal districts and in seven hill panchayats of Idukki district.
“These numbers need to be increased, for which we are in the process of a project design,” Vijayan disclosed.
Addressing the existing weather forecasting system, the chief minister acknowledged that it “needs to be improved.”
Kerala has requested the central government to provide more observational systems, including additional radars, to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
“Landslide forecasting systems are in the infancy stage. This will need to be fast-tracked by having more intense research by the national nodal agencies. Therefore, the Kerala government has requested the government of India for setting up local research centres of national agencies,” Vijayan explained.
The state has already instituted an Institute of Climate Change Studies to conduct state-specific research. However, there is a need for financial assistance to strengthen these institutions and ensure they can effectively contribute to making Kerala more resilient. “The Kerala government has decided to focus on scientific use of land and localised community-based early warning systems that will increase local resilience,” he said.
Concerning relief and rehabilitation, the state plans to create new townships to accommodate the families affected by the Wayanad landslides. This initiative is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan rooted in Kerala’s distinctive developmental philosophy prioritising human-centered growth and social welfare.
“The rehabilitation plan will be rooted in Kerala’s distinctive developmental philosophy, which prioritizes human-centred growth and social welfare, and will resonate with the collective consciousness of the Malayali people, reflecting their values, aspirations, and unwavering resilience,” the CM said.
Chief minister Vijayan promised that the government would work “tirelessly” to implement this policy, allowing affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience. He assured the community that the fears and concerns of those impacted by the Wayanad landslides will be “erased”.
The rehabilitation plan includes “personalised microplans” for each affected family, addressing their specific needs, livelihood support, and skill development requirements. This tailored approach aims to provide holistic support to those impacted.
Chief minister Vijayan also extended an invitation to tourists, emphasising that Wayanad is “ever ready” to welcome visitors.
He believes that tourism can play a major role in restoring livelihoods and creating a sense of normalcy among the affected community.
This approach aims to enhance state’s resilience against future natural calamities. The administration recognises that while climate-linked disasters cannot be fully prevented, their impacts can be majorly mitigated.
The worst-ever disaster in Kerala’s history took place on July 30, when landslides struck several villages in Wayanad, resulting in over 230 fatalities.
The tragedy unfolded in Punchirimattom, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai, as well as parts of Attamala, causing severe devastation. Numerous body parts were found under the debris and in the Chaliyar River.
“In an era of climate change, fragility is a matter that needs to be balanced with respect to ground realities, societal aspirations, and the boundaries laid down by the law,” chief minister Vijayan said.
He also emphasised that “most of the climate-linked disasters cannot be prevented fully. However, their impacts can be reduced.”
The Kerala government plans to enhance local resilience through the scientific use of land and community-based early warning systems. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster the state’s preparedness for future disasters. Relief shelters have already been established in 18 coastal local governments across nine coastal districts and in seven hill panchayats of Idukki district.
“These numbers need to be increased, for which we are in the process of a project design,” Vijayan disclosed.
Addressing the existing weather forecasting system, the chief minister acknowledged that it “needs to be improved.”
Kerala has requested the central government to provide more observational systems, including additional radars, to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
“Landslide forecasting systems are in the infancy stage. This will need to be fast-tracked by having more intense research by the national nodal agencies. Therefore, the Kerala government has requested the government of India for setting up local research centres of national agencies,” Vijayan explained.
The state has already instituted an Institute of Climate Change Studies to conduct state-specific research. However, there is a need for financial assistance to strengthen these institutions and ensure they can effectively contribute to making Kerala more resilient. “The Kerala government has decided to focus on scientific use of land and localised community-based early warning systems that will increase local resilience,” he said.
Concerning relief and rehabilitation, the state plans to create new townships to accommodate the families affected by the Wayanad landslides. This initiative is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan rooted in Kerala’s distinctive developmental philosophy prioritising human-centered growth and social welfare.
“The rehabilitation plan will be rooted in Kerala’s distinctive developmental philosophy, which prioritizes human-centred growth and social welfare, and will resonate with the collective consciousness of the Malayali people, reflecting their values, aspirations, and unwavering resilience,” the CM said.
Chief minister Vijayan promised that the government would work “tirelessly” to implement this policy, allowing affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience. He assured the community that the fears and concerns of those impacted by the Wayanad landslides will be “erased”.
The rehabilitation plan includes “personalised microplans” for each affected family, addressing their specific needs, livelihood support, and skill development requirements. This tailored approach aims to provide holistic support to those impacted.
Chief minister Vijayan also extended an invitation to tourists, emphasising that Wayanad is “ever ready” to welcome visitors.
He believes that tourism can play a major role in restoring livelihoods and creating a sense of normalcy among the affected community.