A tragedy foretold

The calamity in Kerala’s Wayanad district is a stark reminder of the risk associated with living in an ecologically fragile area. The landslides, triggered by relentless rains, have already claimed around 300 lives and left behind a trail of devastation. The tragedy should not come as a surprise to anyone, as Wayanad was ranked 13th last year in a list of the most landslide-prone districts in India. While rescue efforts are on, the authorities concerned must address the underlying causes of such natural disasters. Climate change, deforestation and an eco-sensitive terrain are a recipe for disaster. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has rightly called for an action plan to address calamities in view of the tragedy in his former constituency. A robust early warning system must be in place to help the states prevent the loss of lives. Further, the authorities must adopt a proactive approach to the issue.
Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

An avoidable man-made disaster
With reference to the editorial ‘Wayanad calamity’; it is shocking how the rain-triggered landslides have swept away entire villages in the district, causing an immeasurable loss of life and property. Besides Kerala, the fear of landslides looms large in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand every year during the monsoon season. Senseless deforestation and urbanisation are the reason why such catastrophes have become increasingly common. The Central and state authorities need to work in synergy to avert such man-made disasters.
Deepak TAAK, Panchkula

Urbanisation, but at what cost?
Refer to ‘Wayanad calamity’; the massive landslides have left a trail of destruction and killed hundreds of people. Last year, the humongous monsoon rains wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, resulting in an economic loss running into thousands of crores. It is unfortunate that local authorities tend to ignore early warnings and fail to take timely measures to save lives. State governments, in a bid to boost their revenue from tourism, allow the construction of highways and hotels in ecologically fragile zones. This costs them dear when a disaster strikes.
Ramesh Gupta, Narwana

Politicising a tragedy
No single entity bears the entire blame for the horror unfolding in Wayanad. The Centre and the Kerala Government share responsibility for the loss of lives that could have been prevented had they acted in time. But instead of staying focused on extending help to the affected families, a political row has broken out. By locking horns with the state government amid the mounting death toll, the Centre is milking the tragedy to reap political dividends. The need of the hour is to take steps to avoid a repeat of the fiasco in the Western Ghats.
AG Rajmohan, Anantapur (AP)

Defuse the time bomb in West Asia
The assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran is set to escalate the conflict in West Asia. Though PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not claimed responsibility for the slaying, it is suspected that Israel was behind it. The possibility of the Israel-Hamas war spilling over no longer seems remote, with Iran being dragged into the conflict. A truce has long eluded Gaza. But with the killing of the top Hamas leader, even the slim hope for negotiations between Israel and the terrorist group has been snuffed out. It is time for other world leaders to step in to douse the fire of conflict before it engulfs the entire region.
DVG Sankara Rao, Vizianagaram

Promote undervalued sports
It is a matter of immense pride for us that India has secured three medals in shooting alone. This must prompt the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to formulate a plan to promote undervalued sports like shooting. There is a need to create new opportunities for sportspersons and boost public interest in the disciplines that have long been sidelined. This would help Indian athletes continue to bring laurels to the nation. The efforts put in by Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale must be recognised.
Tarunjot Kaur, Greater Mohali

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