Webdesk: The death toll from the fatal landslip in the mountain hamlet of Irshalwadi in Maharashtra state rose to 26 Saturday, with officials fearing scores more are trapped under the debris and mud.
The landslip, around 60 km (37 miles) from Mumbai, washed numerous houses in the 225-person settlement. Authorities said about 80 residents escaped the disaster.
Saturday’s Times of India reported 80 missing people.
“We are working on our technical equipment, our rescue techniques,” NDRF officer S B Singh told Reuters.
“We cannot judge as of now how many people still stuck,” Singh said. “Four more bodies pulled out from underneath the mud on Saturday.”
Moreover, News footage showed rescue teams with digging gear and orange raincoats climbing the mountain to the landslide scene.
“Incessant rainfall, poor visibility, and the hilly terrain are hindering rescue operations,” Singh said.
“There about 16-17 houses affected by the landslip and many families have relocated,” the official said.
“The ground shook suddenly and we ran out of our houses,” one witness told BBC, who lost many family members.
Landslides have never occurred here. “I never thought the mountain would collapse,” remarked another.
“Our priority is to evacuate people from the scene and treat the injured immediately,” tweeted federal home minister Amit Shah.
While, Rescuers with sniffer dogs must walk roughly two hours to the landslip.
“The debris at some of the places is 10 to 29 feet deep,” Singh told the Indian Express.
Due to climate change-induced landslides and flash floods in India, Pakistan, South Korea, and Japan, the death toll has risen dramatically.
