Kerala Chief Minister Revokes Controversial Note Restricting Scientists' Landslide Insights

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed Chief Secretary V Venu to retract a contentious note issued by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). This note had restricted science and technology institutions in Kerala from sharing their findings and opinions with the media concerning the recent deadly landslides in Wayanad.

Scientific Community's Protest

The scientific community had expressed strong opposition to the directive from State Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Tinku Biswal. The note had barred all science and technology institutions from conducting field visits to Meppadi Panchayat in Wayanad, where devastating landslides occurred on Tuesday, resulting in numerous fatalities.

In a statement on Thursday night, Vijayan clarified that the news suggesting the SDMA had prohibited scientific institutions and scientists from visiting the disaster-hit Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad and sharing their opinions was misleading. He emphasised that the state government does not endorse such a policy.

Immediate Withdrawal of Communication

Vijayan stated that he had directed the chief secretary to intervene immediately and withdraw the communication that conveyed such a message. The note had also mentioned that scientific communities should refrain from sharing their opinions and study reports with the media without prior permission from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).

The massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday morning, killing at least 190 people and injuring many others. With nearly 200 people still missing, the death toll is expected to rise further.