Rahul Gandhi’s Call for ‘National Disaster’ Status Hits UPA-Era Roadblock Amid Wayanad Crisis

As Wayanad grapples with devastating landslides that claimed over 400 lives, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the disaster a “national disaster.” However, a 2013 statement by a Congress-led UPA government minister reveals that no such designation exists under central government guidelines.

The demand has sparked political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party pointing to a Parliament reply by then Minister of State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran, who stated that “there is no provision to declare a natural disaster as a national disaster.” This policy, unchanged since the UPA era, emphasizes that state governments are primarily responsible for disaster response, with additional assistance considered for severe calamities through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Wayanad to assess ongoing relief efforts, which have seen swift action from the central government. Over 1,200 NDRF personnel, along with the Army, Air Force, and other agencies, have been deployed. The Indian Army erected a crucial 190-foot Bailey bridge in just 71 hours, facilitating the movement of heavy machinery and ambulances to rescue stranded victims.

Despite the UPA-era policy, the central government’s rapid response in Wayanad highlights the urgency of addressing the disaster, even as political discussions continue over the designation and management of such large-scale natural calamities.