Wayanad Landslides: Kerala HC to Hold Weekly Hearings on Rehabilitation and Disaster Prevention

The Kerala High Court stated that it will hold hearings every Friday to monitor the progress of rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad following the recent devastating landslides, as well as to review preventive measures against such disasters.

The Court will also examine strategies to prevent future disasters.

A bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Syam Kumar VM stressed the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to developmental activities to avoid environmental disasters like the recent Wayanad floods.

“Are we identifying any other vulnerable data, and is there a scientific view that can definitively explain why this incident occurred?” the Court inquired.

The Court highlighted the importance of a thorough examination of all relevant legislations to understand the policies related to mitigating environmental disasters and maintaining ecological balance.

Infrastructure damage included 3 bridges, 126 community buildings, 1,555 houses, 2 schools, approximately 1.5 km of rural road, and significant losses in land and livestock, the AG stated.

The Court was also informed that several relief camps have been set up, and numerous victims are currently residing in them. Amicus Curiae Senior Counsel Ranjith Thampan filed a report, which will be reviewed by the Court at the next hearing.

Additionally, the Court has impleaded several other parties into the matter, including the National Highways Authority, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Central Water Commission, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, and the National Remote Sensing Centre.

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