Wayanad landslides: Kerala High Court to hold weekly hearing on flood relief, preventive measures

The Kerala High High Court on Friday said that it would hold a hearing every Friday to monitor the progress of rehabilitation in Wayanad after the recent devastating landslides there and on preventive measures against such disasters [Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors]..The Court will also examine preventive measures against such disasters. The division bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Syam Kumar VM reiterated the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to developmental activities to prevent environmental disasters like Wayanad floods."Are we identifying any other vulnerable data, is there any scientific view which is definite to understand why this incident happened?," the Court asked today.The Court also underscored the importance of a thorough study of all relevant legislations to understand the policies around mitigating environmental disasters and maintaining ecological balance..To ensure an ongoing and effective oversight, the Court announced that the case would be listed every Friday during which it will seek updates on the following key aspects:Scientific studies being conducted on the impacted areas in Wayanad;Victim rehabilitation efforts;Parallel identification of other vulnerable areas;Preventive measures being implemented;The Court said the matter would be heard as the first item each Friday. "We need updates on: Whether scientific studies are being done, the latest report focusing on Wayanad, until monsoon. Over a period of time we can extend these scientific studies parallely to other areas to identify vulnerable areas, weekly update on rehabilitation of victims, weekly update on identification of other vulnerable areas in Wayanad, discuss on preventive measures and the relocation of people," the Court added..During the hearing, Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K presented figures related to the damage caused by the disaster. It was submitted that about 231 dead bodies have been found, with least 378 injured and about 128 people still missing.An estimated ₹1,200 crore loss has taken place due to the landslides, the Court was told."Infrastructure damage included 3 bridges, 126 community buildings, 1,555 houses, 2 schools, rural road approximately 1.5 km and significant loss of land and livestock," the AG said.The Court was also informed that several relief camps have been established and numerous victims are placed in them.Amicus Curiae Senior Counsel Ranjith Thampan also filed a report which would be reviewed by the Court in the next hearing..The Court today impleaded several other parties 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 in the matter..[Read Order]