23.07.2021 23:56
Monsoon rains trigger landslides in Maharashtra, official says.
The death toll from the rain-related incidents in India's western Maharashtra state surpassed 50, officials said late Friday.
Nidhi Choudhari, a senior civil official in the Raigad district, said the number of deaths caused by landslides in the district has climbed to 44.
"These deaths happened in two different landslide incidents. ... Many are still missing," Choudhari told Anadolu Agency, adding that a rescue operation is underway in the area.
Earlier on Friday morning, Choudhari had said five people died in the landslides in Raigad along with many others missing.
In a separate incident, three people died after a building collapsed in the eastern Mumbai's suburban neighborhood of Govandi early Friday, said Dr. Vidya Thakur from Rajawadi Hospital.
According to the state's disaster management officials, five deaths have been reported in two other districts of the state over the last 24 hours.
Maharashtra and other Indian states are currently witnessing monsoon rains that have caused flood-like situations in many areas and left thousands of people stranded.
The Indian Navy said they have mobilized rescue teams for flood relief and evacuation in Maharashtra.
"Despite adverse weather conditions and widespread inundation in affected areas, a total of seven naval rescue teams departed by road for deployment to the Ratnagiri and Raigarh (Raigad) districts," a navy spokesman said on Friday.
The Indian Air Force and Indian Army are also involved in the rescue operation.
Last week, at least 29 people were killed due to the landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains in Mumbai. -