At the time of writing, 167 bodies had been recovered, and the search was on for hundreds of missing people. The worst-hit villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha in Wayanad district are part of Meppadi. This area was identified as one of the 18 ecologically sensitive areas in Kerala by a committee led by ecologist Madhav Gadgil in 2011. The report specifically warned against indiscriminate quarrying and construction in Meppadi. However, owing to political reasons, both the state and Central governments were reluctant to implement the report’s recommendations and instead pursued measures to dilute them. That, however, has not stopped either to blame the other. In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that Kerala did not respond appropriately to the Centre’s warning, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Central meteorological department had issued a red alert for Wayanad only after the landslide had taken place and that the Geological Survey of India, on July 29, had issued a green alert for July 30 and 31, indicating a possibility of minor landslides or rock bursts.
In an interview with THE WEEK, V. Ambili, deputy director general at the GSI’s Kerala unit, said that its prediction for the landslide was wrong because of the wrong predicted rainfall data it got from the meteorological department. Excerpts:
Q/ Could you give a brief description of the factors that led to the Wayanad landslide?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
