Search and Rescue Operations Enter Third Day Amid Heavy Rains
Raigad District, Maharashtra, India: A massive landslide in Irshalwadi village, Raigad district, Maharashtra, has left a trail of devastation, with 22 people confirmed dead and 86 villagers still unaccounted for. The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday night, when the tribal village situated on a hill slope under Khalapur tehsil, approximately 80 km from Mumbai, was hit by a catastrophic landslide.
The initial death toll was reported as 16 on Thursday evening, but the number tragically increased to 22 on Friday as rescue teams recovered six more bodies. Among the deceased were nine men, nine women, and four children, with the disaster particularly affecting one family that lost nine of its members. The situation has prompted a massive search and rescue operation led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other government agencies.
The efforts, however, have faced considerable challenges due to heavy rainfall in the region, which temporarily suspended the search operations on Friday evening. Despite the difficulties, four NDRF teams, along with other agencies, resumed their efforts on Saturday morning, showing unwavering dedication to finding the missing villagers.
According to the Raigad district disaster management office, out of the 229 village residents, 111 individuals have been confirmed safe, while 10 others sustained injuries. As rescue teams continue their tireless efforts, 86 villagers remain unaccounted for, adding to the urgency and gravity of the situation.
The landslide disaster has wreaked havoc on the village, burying at least 17 out of 48 houses under the debris. Some of the villagers were away from the village at the time of the incident, attending a marriage or engaged in rice plantation work. Among the victims are four young children, aged between six months and four years, highlighting the heart-wrenching impact of this natural catastrophe on vulnerable members of the community.
The rescue operation faces further difficulties due to the lack of proper roads in the village. As Irshalwadi is not accessible by a pucca road, earth movers and excavators have struggled to reach the site, forcing the rescue teams to carry out operations manually.
In response to this tragic event and to prevent similar tragedies in the future, the Maharashtra government has announced plans to relocate residents from all landslide-prone areas to safer locations. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed this decision in the state legislative assembly on Friday, expressing a commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities from such disasters.
The catastrophe in Irshalwadi has brought back haunting memories of another devastating landslide that occurred on July 22, 2021, in Taliye village, Mahad tehsil, also in Raigad district. That tragic event claimed the lives of 87 people, further highlighting the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and risk mitigation strategies in the region.
As the search and rescue operations enter their third day, the nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and the brave rescuers working tirelessly to locate the missing villagers. The road to recovery will undoubtedly be challenging, but the resilience and solidarity of the people of Maharashtra will undoubtedly prevail as they come together to support those affected by this heartbreaking disaster.
