An expert committee constituted by the State Disaster Management Authority is visiting landslide-hit areas in Wayanad on Tuesday to assess the cause of the calamity. The five-member committee will suggest to the Kerala government suitable land use for the area.
The five-member committee is led by senior scientist John Matthai of the National Center for Geosciences and includes Center of Excellence in Water Related Disaster Management (CWRM) Principal Scientist and Head Dr T.K. Drishya; Surathkal NIT Associate Professor Dr Srivalsa Kolathayar; District Soil Conservation Officer Tara Manoharan and Kerala Disaster Management Authority Hazard and Risk Analyst P. Pradeep.
The committee will visit the landslide-hit Meppadi panchayat and Chooralamala and the cause of the landslide. The panel will assess how the disaster happened and what caused it. They will also study possible dangers in the affected areas and nearby sites. The committee will be submitting a report to the state government and provide suggestions for better ways to use the land.
Meanwhile, the state government has reportedly formulated a plan to provide short-term relief for the survivors. The government has formulated a rental policy to ensure a safe stay for the survivors once the camps are closed. According to authorities, there are 1,770 people, including 439 children, sheltered in 15 relief camps in Wayanad.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan said rehabilitation will done as per the preference of the survivors and a rental policy has been prepared by the state government for survivors. He added the government is ready to provide rent to persons who are willing to find houses on their own.
