India: Death toll from landslide in Maharashtra climbs to 26

The death toll in the landslide in India's state of Maharashtra climbed to 26on Saturday (July 22) with the recovery of fourmore bodies,Raigad Police officials told the news agency ANI.The landslide occurred on Thursday night in the remote mountain hamlet of Irshalwadi, flattening several houses. A report Reuters report said that the hamlet is estimated to have been home to at least 225 people.

Over 80 people managed to escape and over 100 people are suspected to still be trapped underneath the rubble. On Friday, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official SB Singh said that the rescue operation (on Friday) was suspended due to heavy rainfall and low visibility.

"There may be a possibility of another landslide but again specialists can comment on this. Probability is there," Singh added.

Rescue operations resume

On Saturday, rescue operations resumed in Irshalwadi with NDRF personnel using a dog squad to retrieve more victims. On Friday, NDRF official SB Singh that the response force was able to carry out two forms of search operations- canine and physical search.

#WATCH | Raigad, Maharashtra: Canine squad carries out search operation in landslide-hit area.

So far, 22 dead bodies have been recovered from the site. pic.twitter.com/jban6qeya9 — ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2023

"The weather is inclement. I mean it's like heavily raining, foggy. It is very windy after you go to the hillock which is a 1.5-2-hour-long, 3-km steep trek. The wind speed might be 40-50 knots-so that is a challenge. The biggest challenge is the non-availability of heavy machinery," Singh added.

'Everyone started running,' says landslide victim who lost 7 family members

Dhondi Daamalska, who lost seven family members to the landslide, told Reuters, "We came to know about the landslide at around 11 pm (1730 GMT) and after that, everyone started running. Later, ministers and inspector (police), etc., all reached the spot and they were at the site till morning."

Daamalska said she was able to run away and escape the landslide but seven of her family members were buried under the debris.

(With inputs from agencies)

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