At least 16 persons died and several are feared to be trapped after a landslide hit Irsalwadi, a tribal village in Khalapur taluka in Raigad district, late on Wednesday night.
The area had received more than 500 mm of rainfall in the last three days.
The landslide occurred between 10.30 pm and 11 pm on Wednesday, according to the disaster management team of Raigad district. The team received a call around 11.30 pm, while the state control room got details around midnight.
28 families directly affected by the landslide
A total of 228 people of 48 families were living in the village, of which around 28 families were directly affected by the landslide, according to the district administration.
Relief teams had been dispatched from Alibag, Khopoli, Karjat, Lonavala, Badlapur, Panvel, Vashi and Mumbai, while eight ambulances, 44 officers and staff, and 2 JCBs have been dispatched from Panvel Municipal Corporation. Medical officers of Kalam, Ambivali, and Mohil Primary Health Centers are at the spot.
Rescue operations proved difficult as the village is located on a hill in a remote area. The incessant rains added to the problem faced by national and state level disaster management teams and local authorities.
103 people were rescued
As many as 103 people were rescued by NDRF, SDRF, Thane Disaster Relief Force, residents of the area and the Panvel-based trekkers group Yashwanti Trekkers and Nisarga Group till 5 pm when rescue operations were called off. Of these, 90 did not suffer any injuries. The others are undergoing treatment at MGM Hospital in Kamothe.
A fire brigade official of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Shivram Dhumane, died during the rescue operation. The body is being brought to CBD Belapur Fire Station in Navi Mumbai.
17 houses completely damaged
Around 17 houses were completely damaged and it is difficult to assess how many people are trapped under the debris, said Ravi Prakash, a senior commandant of NDRF. “There is 30-40 feet of debris and the rescue operation is being carried out without any machinery,” he said.
A base camp has been set up in Manivali village from where people have to walk to the landslide site.
“As the village is on a hill, it is not easily accessible. NDRF teams are facing challenges in deploying heavy machinery,” said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after visiting the site. Two defence force helicopters were deployed for rescue operation and even a helipad was constructed at the disaster site, he said. However, they could not be used because of bad weather.
Relief of ₹5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased
Shinde announced relief of ₹5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. The government will bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured, said Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, who visited the hospital.
State Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has directed the district administration to provide food packets from nearby Shiv Bhojan thali centre to all the villagers, till normalcy is restored. They will also be provided five litres of kerosene oil for cooking.
Water bottles, blankets, torches, first aid material, sheets, and biscuits have been made available at the disaster site.
Shinde met the villagers of Irshalwadi and assured them all help. Deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are also closely monitoring rescue efforts. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also visited the site and called for stepped up efforts to trace the trapped persons.
