In the western state of Maharashtra, India, a devastating landslide triggered by torrential rains resulted in the loss of 10 lives, and there are fears that numerous others are still trapped under the heaps of debris. The tragic incident occurred late on Wednesday night, prompting an urgent response from rescue teams.
Rescue efforts have been met with challenges due to harsh weather conditions, hindering the progress of the 60-strong team of rescuers and trained trekkers deployed to aid those caught in the disaster. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted about the deployment and confirmed that medical teams have also been dispatched to provide assistance to the injured.
As of now, 75 people have been rescued, but a significant number of individuals remain stuck beneath the rubble, according to an official statement reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.
The landslide struck the village of Irshalwadi in the Raigad district, burying 17 out of the 50 houses in the area. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the site and emphasized that the immediate priority is to rescue those still trapped.
The state of Maharashtra has been grappling with incessant rains this week, leading India’s weather department to issue an alert. The rainfall has disrupted life across the region, causing closures of schools in the capital city, Mumbai, and disrupting local train services with water flooding stations and tracks.
Throughout the state, roads have been submerged, leading to traffic jams and leaving commuters stranded. In response to the situation, the National Disaster Response Force has been deployed to various locations to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
Tragically, this disaster comes in the wake of record monsoon rains that claimed over 100 lives in northern India during the past two weeks. The downpours resulted in road collapses and house collapses.
Overall, this year’s monsoon rains have exceeded the normal levels by approximately 2%, as reported by India’s weather agency. Monsoons are a vital source of rain for crops planted during the season, but they often cause extensive damage as well.
Scientists have noted that the monsoons are becoming increasingly unpredictable due to climate change and global warming, leading to more frequent landslides and flash floods, especially in India’s Himalayan north.