Raigad landslide: NDRF recovered two more bodies; death toll rises to 18

Raigad landslide. Pic/Satej Shinde

Search and rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Friday recovered two more bodies from the debris at the landslide-affected Irshalwadi village in Maharashtra's Raigad district, taking the toll to 18, an official said, reported PTI.

Both the deceased were women, he said.

NDRF teams resumed their search and rescue operation at the landslide site, located in a hilly terrain, around 6.30 am amid rainfall in the area after suspending the exercise overnight, said the official.

Local villagers and relatives of the people trapped under the debris are assisting the rescue teams, he said. The massive landslide hit Irshalwadi, a tribal village located on a hill slope in the coastal district, around 80km from Mumbai, on Wednesday night.

The administration in Maharashtra's Raigad district has sought assistance from citizens for the victims of the landslide disaster. In the appeal issued by the district information officer on Friday, the administration said the mudslide within the limits of Chowk-Nanivali gram panchayat has adversely affected the residents and damaged their personal belongings and livestock.

To help the affected villagers resume their normal lives, authorities have sought assistance from citizens, it said. Those interested in donating money can send it to the District Disaster Response Fund with the State Bank of India, Alibag Main branch, the appeal said.

Citizens keen on donating relief materials can contact SDO Karjat Anit Nairale (8390090040) and Khalapur Tehsildar Ayub Tamboli (9975751076), it said. The landslide occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday at the tribal village, situated on a hill slope, under Khalapur tehsil of the coastal district, around 80 km from Mumbai. Of the 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, an official said on Friday.

However, a total of 119 villagers are yet to be traced. They include those who had gone out of the village to attend a marriage or for rice plantation work, he said. Of the nearly 50 houses in the village, 17 were flattened by the landslide, officials said.

"At least four NDRF teams reached the landslide site this morning and started the operation. Teams of the Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), local disaster management authorities, and Raigad police are also engaged in the operation," the official told PTI.

(With inputs PTI)