Goa Government Reactivates Disaster Management Amid Kerala Landslide Tragedy

In response to recent landslides in Kerala that claimed over 200 lives, Goa's government has reactivated its disaster management committee. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly against illegal hill-cutting. The committee aims to identify and monitor landslide-prone areas, issuing immediate measures to prevent future incidents.

In a bid to prevent disasters following the recent Kerala landslides that claimed more than 200 lives, Goa has reactivated its high-level disaster management committee. Ground-level revenue officials have now been tasked with reporting illegal hill cutting across the state.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a meeting on Friday, alongside state Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserratte and other key officials. According to Sawant, the state government has been spurred into action by the Wayanad landslide, reinvigorating its disaster management efforts to avoid similar incidents.

Notably, Goa shares the Sahyadri Hill ranges with neighboring states Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra, making it imperative to remain vigilant. Sawant also announced the formation of a state disaster management authority, with officers dedicated to round-the-year operations. The committee will focus on identifying landslide-prone areas and can halt any risky hill-cutting activities immediately.

Another sub-committee, including mamlatdars, zonal agriculture officers, and range forest officers, will oversee specific regions. Comprehensive guidelines will be issued to various departments to prohibit construction in eco-sensitive and no-development zones. The state also plans to seek assistance from the National Disaster Management Authority for advanced techniques such as early warning systems.

(With inputs from agencies.)