Wayanad Landslides: KSDMA Details Plan To Remove Debris From Rivers Before Start Of Monsoon

The Division Bench of the Court comprising of Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Easwaran S. was hearing the suo motu case initiated by the High Court in the aftermath of large-scale landslides that hit Wayanad in July 30, 2024. The Court has been actively monitoring the rehabilitation activities undertaken by the State and the support offered by the Centre since then.

Regarding the removal of debris, KSDMA submitted before the Court that the assessment has been completed. It was submitted that since the debris removal needs to be completed immediately before the start of the monsoon, they are resorting to Section 50 of the Disaster Management Act to speedily remove the debris, at least in the majorly habituated areas before monsoon. It was submitted that this was a very large project.

On being enquired by the Court, the member Secretary detailed the actions taken till date towards the removal. He said that they have assessed the volume of the debris – a committee has appointed for this who has come up with details on the amount of materials and the types of materials. Further, he submitted, that it was decided to have a material processing unit as it was required to sort the different type of materials. Additionally, it was submitted that the materials recovered would be used for 'river training works' – to train the river back to its original course. The recovered materials will be primarily used for this. Rest of the materials will be used for townships, road works, in-filling the land.

It was further submitted that they are planning to do the debris removal exercise in the human inhabited area – Chooralmala belt, Mundakkai belt and Attamala belt - in the period from March to June.

The Court asked the KDMA to update it about the work taken up by first week of March.

The case is next posted on 3^rd March.

Case Title: In Re: Prevention And Management Of Natural Disasters In Kerala V State Of Kerala

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