Maharashtra: Raigad landslide kills 16; rescuers to look for 135 others today

A man pays his last respects to a family member he lost in the landslide, at Irsalwadi in Raigad, on Thursday

By Shirish Vaktania, Faizan Khan and Apoorva Agashe

Most villagers had gone to bed when a massive landslide struck their hamlet at Irsalwadi around 10.30 pm on Wednesday, burying most of the houses and claiming at least 16 lives so far. According to officials, close to 135 people are still feared trapped under the debris and muck.

The rescue teams managed to bring close to 90 individuals to safety before calling off the search operation at 5.30 pm due to low visibility. Irsalwadi, a village in Khalapur tehsil of the Raigad district, approximately 60 km from Mumbai, is located about 3-4 km uphill.

Challenges

Due to the difficult terrain and the inclement weather conditions, the rescuers are facing challenges in retrieving the bodies. They had to climb hills to reach the main road. The rescue operation will resume on Friday morning, said officials.

Villagers help rescue teams find trapped victims. Pics/Satej Shinde

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who arrived at the village on Wednesday night, has assured that sufficient manpower and machinery are available for the rescue efforts, and that two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are on standby.

Approximately 2,000 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade and Thane Disaster Relief Force (TDRF) and police have been deployed for the rescue operation. Trained hikers have also been roped in, officials said. Also, 500 workers from CIDCO have been sent to assist them.

More team on the way

"Due to immense rain and bad weather, there are difficulties in the rescue operation, but the team is finding ways to overcome it," Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

"Medical teams, too, have been deployed at the spot. The state control room is in constant touch with the local administration. The possibility of airlifting two earth-moving machines are also being explored," Fadanvis said.

In the past three days, around 499 mm of rainfall has been recorded at Irsalwadi.

Last rites

mid-day reporter Shirish Vaktania, who climbed the hills to reach the affected village, saw that the recovered bodies were being buried close to the landslide site.

Manisha Ghorte, a relative of one of the victims, identified as Radhi, told mid-day, "We received a distress call from the villagers and rushed to the hillside. We found Radhi's lifeless body amid the debris."

Ghorte said they have no objection to the authorities cremating Radhi's body at the site of the incident.

90
Approx. No. of villagers pulled out of debris

2,000
Approx. No. of rescuers deployed for rescue

499mm
Rainfall the area received for 3 days straight, ending Thursday

BMC dispatches Bobcat machines

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent the staff of the Solid Waste Management Department to Raigad with three heavy (Bobcat) machines to help in the rescue operation. "Three vehicles have been dispatched, one each from Mahim Retibandar, Mulund and Juhu. An excavator has also been sent," said an official.