Kerala Unprepared for Disasters, Expert Warns

Geologist and disaster management expert Dr. Thara K. G. highlights Kerala's persistent unpreparedness for recurrent natural disasters, using the recent Kalladi landslip as a prime example. She asserts that the incident resulted from a confluence of factors, including contractor negligence, diluted environmental laws, the site's inherent landslide risk, and a failure in timely governmental oversight.

Dr. Thara criticizes recent amendments to environmental laws that permit Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to be conducted up to three years after a project commences, a significant dilution that jeopardizes ecological and human safety. She points out that building tunnels in landslide-prone zones is inherently hazardous and questions whether critical studies, like micro-level landslide mapping, were adequately performed and made public for the Wayanad tunnel project.

Despite government warnings to halt construction due to improper soil dumping, compliance and monitoring were reportedly lacking. The expert also noted that safety norms, such as constant monitoring in critical-slope areas and the construction of mandatory retaining walls, were not consistently followed. She argues that while projects may receive various approvals, this does not absolve those responsible for ensuing disasters.

Reviewing existing EIAs and ensuring compliance with project conditions are crucial, Dr. Thara suggests, potentially involving bodies like the Central Empowered Committee. She also calls for an examination of whether project reports adequately account for climate change impacts, such as more frequent cloudbursts and intense rainfall. Furthermore, she advocates for integrating disaster management into school curricula and revising urban master plans to mandate green spaces, alongside developing a national building code for disaster resilience and a clear land-use policy.

Dr. Thara emphasizes the need for community involvement in disaster mitigation, drawing parallels with successful NGO partnerships seen in Bangladesh and Tamil Nadu. She believes enhancing healthcare facilities within Wayanad itself, rather than relying solely on distant hospitals, would be more effective and environmentally sound, especially considering the ecological risks associated with extensive tunneling.