Kerala High Court Seeks State Govt's Response On Vulnerable Areas Prone To Natural Disasters In Wayanad

The Court passed the above order in the suo moto case initiated in the aftermath of devastating Wayanad landslides, to prevent and manage natural disasters in Kerala.

The division bench comprising Justice A.K.Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. orally stated that news media has reported that due to the heavy monsoon, there are other vulnerable areas in Wayanad which are prone to natural disasters. The Court thus sought information about such vulnerable areas and stated that there should be continuous monitoring to prevent any such natural disasters. 

The Court further stated that the Government should also submit weekly updates regarding the rehabilitation activities taking place in Wayanad.

The Court stated that it also requires scientific information regarding the cause of the landslide in Wayanad.

The Court impleaded the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highway Authority of India (North zone), Central Water Commission, Indian National Center For Ocean Information Services and National Remote Sensing Centre in the case.

The Government submitted that there is an estimated loss of rupees 1200 crores in Wayanad and also submitted data regarding missing persons and injured persons. It also apprised the Court that the district administration has buried 53 unidentified bodies and handed over 178 bodies to the families. It was also apprised that 212 body parts were recovered from the landslide area. The Government further submitted that 3 bridges, 2 schools, 1.5 km rural road and 2 transformers were destroyed in Wayanad, as per the available data. The State Government submitted before the Court that they would submit a detailed report before the Court about the loss and damages incurred in Wayanad.

Case Title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case Number: WP(C) 28509/ 2024 & Connected Cases