Kerala Government Urges Silence on Wayanad Landslides

The Kerala government has requested the state's scientific community to avoid sharing opinions and reports on the Wayanad landslides with the media. The order, issued by Tiku Biswal, prohibits field visits to the Meppadi panchayat without prior approval due to its disaster-affected status.

The Kerala government has requested the state's scientific community to refrain from sharing their opinions and study reports on the Wayanad landslides with the media. The directive comes from Tiku Biswal, the state relief commissioner and principal secretary for disaster management.

Biswal's order instructs all science and technology institutions in Kerala to avoid field visits to the Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad, an area officially declared as disaster-affected. This decision follows the tragic landslides induced by heavy rains, which claimed over 290 lives in Wayanad.

Scientists attributed the disaster to forest cover loss, mining activities, and climate change. The order also states that any future studies in the affected area must receive prior approval from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.