Indian rescuers recover 27 dead but no sign of dozens of missing villagers swamped by a landslide

Indian rescuers have made the grim discovery of 27 bodies but are yet to find any signs of dozens of missing villagers who were engulfed by a landslide. The incident occurred in a village called Irshalwadi in western India’s Raigadh district, nearly 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state. The devastating landslide was triggered by heavy monsoon rains, leaving 78 people still unaccounted for.

Efforts to locate the missing villagers have entered their fourth day, with hundreds of rescuers diligently combing through the debris. So far, 17 out of 48 houses in the village have been completely or partially buried under the landslide.

The rescue operation has faced significant challenges due to the lack of paved roads and the presence of a massive sludge surrounding the village. As a result, the rescuers have primarily relied on rods and shovels, as heavy equipment like earth movers and excavators cannot reach the affected area. A dog squad has also been deployed to assist in detecting any potential survivors.

The treacherous terrain adds to the difficulty of reaching Irshalwadi, taking approximately 90 minutes on foot from the base of the hill. Despite their relentless efforts, the rescue operation had to be temporarily halted during the night due to ongoing rainfall and the threat of further landslides.

Tragically, among the deceased are four children, while 75 individuals have been successfully rescued and four others have been hospitalized. The monsoon season has been relentless in Maharashtra, with incessant rains disrupting local train services at various locations, causing water to flow inside stations and over tracks.

Northern India has also been affected by severe monsoon rains, leading to over 100 fatalities in the past three weeks. These intense downpours have resulted in the collapse of roads and houses.

Monsoons have always been a crucial part of India’s weather patterns, bringing much-needed rainfall for rain-fed crops planted during the season. However, climate change has made monsoons more erratic, leading to an increase in landslides and flash floods in India’s Himalayan north, as warned by scientists. The situation highlights the urgent need for measures to mitigate the impacts of such natural disasters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Landslide

More about Landslide

• BBC News: Indian rescuers recover 27 dead but no sign of dozens of missing villagers swamped by a landslide
• NDTV: 27 Dead, Dozens Missing After Landslide In Maharashtra’s Raigad District
• Al Jazeera: Landslide in western India kills at least 27, more missing
• Reuters: Rescuers recover 27 dead in India landslide, scores missing
• The Weather Channel: Monsoon 2023: Heavy Rains Trigger Landslide in Maharashtra, Kill 27; 78 Missing
• Wikipedia: 2023 India floods (For additional information on the broader context of the 2023 floods in India)