- The hill village with a population of 225 people was hit by a landslide after the rains.
- More than 80 people survived the disaster as authorities fear more deaths.
- We are yet to ascertain how many people are still trapped: Singh
The death toll in a deadly landslide in the mountainous region of Irshalwadi in India’s Maharashtra state rose to 26 on Saturday, while dozens were still feared trapped under debris and mud, officials said.
The landslide, which occurred about 60 km (37 mi) from Mumbai, washed away several houses in a village with a population of 225 people. According to officials, more than 80 residents have been able to escape the disaster.
a news report from times of India On Saturday it was suggested that around 80 people were still missing.
“We are working on our technical equipment, our rescue techniques,” said SB Singh, an official of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). reuters,
“Right now we cannot estimate how many people are still trapped,” Singh said. “Four more bodies were pulled out from under the mud on Saturday.
Visuals from news channels showed rescuers dressed in bright orange raincoats and carrying digging equipment, climbing up the mountain to the landslide site.
“Rescue operations are being hampered due to incessant rains, poor visibility and hilly terrain,” Singh said.
“Around 16-17 houses have been affected by the landslide and many families have been shifted,” the official said.
“Suddenly the ground shook and we ran out of our houses,” said one survivor. BBCWho lost many members of his family.
“This [a landslide] This has never happened here before. I never thought that the mountain would break; That’s why people lived there,” said another.
Federal Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Our priority is to evacuate people from the scene and provide immediate treatment to the injured.”
Rescuers had to walk for about two hours with their equipment, some even with sniffer dogs, to reach the landslide site.
“The debris is 10 to 29 feet deep at some places,” Singh said. Indian Express Newspaper.
Recently, the death toll has skyrocketed in various countries, including India, Pakistan, South Korea and Japan, as a result of massive increases in heavy rainfall, resulting in deadly landslides and floods attributed to climate change.
