Rescuers in India's western Maharashtra state continue to search for survivors after a devastating landslide, triggered by torrential monsoon rains, claimed at least 21 lives. The landslide, which struck late Wednesday night, engulfed Irshalwadi village, burying 17 homes and leaving many residents feared trapped beneath the debris.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and the risk of further landslides, search and rescue operations are ongoing. Medical teams have been deployed to provide aid to the injured. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reported recovering five more bodies on Friday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 21, with ten others hospitalized. While the exact number of those still missing remains uncertain, earlier reports indicated that 75 individuals have been rescued.
The remote location of Irshalwadi village and the difficult terrain have hampered rescue efforts. The lack of accessible roads makes it challenging to transport heavy equipment needed to clear the debris. Reaching the village from the base of the hill takes approximately 90 minutes due to the absence of paved roads.
The image above depicts rescuers preparing graves for the landslide victims in India on July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Incessant rains have caused widespread disruption across Maharashtra state, prompting authorities to close schools in Mumbai and impacting local train services. The heavy downpours have led to flooding in train stations and on railway tracks.
This recent landslide follows a period of intense monsoon rains that resulted in over 100 fatalities in northern India in the past two weeks. The rains, while essential for agriculture, have also caused significant infrastructure damage, including road collapses and the destruction of homes.
This year's monsoon season has brought approximately 2% more rainfall than average, according to the weather agency. Experts warn that climate change is contributing to the increasing irregularity of monsoons, resulting in a higher frequency of landslides and flash floods, particularly in the Himalayan region.
