Kerala HC initiates suo motu proceedings to examine if Kerala Floods were man-made

The Kerala High Court has initiated suo motu proceedings to look into allegations that the recent spate of floods in the state was a result of the criminal negligence of state authorities..The proceedings have been initiated on the basis of a letter written by Chalakudy-based Joseph NR, who described the 2018 Kerala floods as man-made and a result of criminal negligence. Chalakudy is one of the worst-hit areas..Taking note of Joseph’s letter, Justice V Chitambresh had requested the Registrar General to place the matter before Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy for further instructions..As recorded in a note issued by the High Court Registry,.“The letter from Sri Joseph NR provides his analysis of what and who had caused the floods of August 2018 in the State of Kerala substantiating with facts and figures in the matter.”.In light of his analysis, Joseph has contended that State Ministers are guilty of criminal negligence. His case also involves a plea for equipping people with a court empowered instrument to aid in obtaining adequate compensation for the loss suffered on account of the Kerala Floods. He is said to have opined,.“It cannot be left to the discretion of very Government that caused this catastrophe [sic].”.On Chief Justice Roy’s direction, the High Court Registry has now registered a Writ Petition (PIL) suo motu, in line with a request made by Joseph..The state of Kerala is still recovering from what has been termed the worst floods in nearly a century. However, as floodwaters recede, opinion is divided over whether the disaster was man-made and whether the state could have prevented the reach of its wrath..Whereas some argue that a lackadaisical environmental policy and poor dam water management contributed to the intensity of the floods, others maintain that the floods were caused by the onset of unforeseen and abnormally high rains from August 8 onwards..In his address today in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that the latest tally of those who lost their lives in the floods stands at 483..HT to @Aneebtpr