A landslide in Varsha Nagar, Vikhroli Parksite, around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday killed two family members and injured two others after their hut was buried under debris from a nearby hill. The local residents alleged that no evacuation notice was issued this year, while civic officials said prior warnings were ignored by those living in the high-risk area.
Heavy overnight rain triggers hill collapse in Parksite
In the early hours of Saturday, a hut in Jankalyan Society, Varsha Nagar at Vikhroli Parksite was buried under debris after a portion of a nearby hillock collapsed due to continuous heavy rainfall. The incident occurred following one of the heaviest downpours recorded in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs overnight. According to civic data between 11 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday, Tagore Nagar received 213 mm of rainfall, while Vikhroli West recorded 211 mm.
Vikhroli Parksite, the site of a deadly landslide triggered by heavy rainfall | FPJ/ Salman Ansari
Victims rushed to Rajawadi Hospital; two declared dead
According to civic officials, four members of a family were trapped under debris after stones from the hill collapsed onto their hut. Emergency teams from the BMC’s ‘S’ ward, along with the Mumbai Fire Brigade and local police, rushed to the spot and rescued all four victims. They were immediately taken to BMC-run Rajawadi Hospital. However, Shalu Mishra (19) and Suresh Mishra (50) were declared dead on arrival. Aarti Mishra (45) and Ruturaj Mishra (20) sustained injuries and are currently in stable condition, undergoing treatment in the hospital’s trauma ward.
Civic officials insist prior warnings were repeatedly ignored
Local residents alleged they had not received any precautionary notices from the BMC this year. However, Shailesh Jadhav, a resident, said, “Even if we get notices, we have no choice but to stay here, there’s nowhere else to go during the monsoon.” Adv. Amol Matele, Mumbai President of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Youth Wing, said the incident was not just a natural disaster but the result of BMC and MHADA’s negligence. “Parksite has long been vulnerable to landslides. The civic body should have relocated residents before the monsoon, and MHADA should have built a retaining wall,” he added.
Parksite listed as landslide-prone under collector’s jurisdiction
The site, located in the Vikhroli Parksite area, is a landslide-prone zone under the city collector’s jurisdiction, a civic official said. “Notices were issued to all vulnerable locations in May, but despite repeated warnings, residents refuse to vacate and continue to risk their lives,” he added.
