India – Fatalities Rise in Maharashtra Floods and Landslides

by in Asia, News

Dozens of people have lost their lives in floods and landslides across the state of Maharashtra in western India.

Landslide in Taliye, Raigad District, Maharashtra, India, July 2021. Photo: District Information Office Raigad

At least 76 people have died in landslides and floods in parts of Maharashtra the state government said on 24 July. The recent spate of floods and landslides began on 22 July 2021 after record rainfall. Over 90,000 people have evacuated across 9 districts and over 1,800 people have been rescued. Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sangli and Kolhapur districts are among the worst affected.

Heavy rain in Raigad district caused a massive landslide in Taliye village, where 30 homes were buried. As of 24 July, 2021, as many as 37 fatalities had been confirmed with at least 33 people still missing.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray visited affected communities in Raigad. “You have faced a major tragedy. Hence, right now, you just need to take care of yourself. Leave the rest to the Government. We will ensure that everyone is rehabilitated and compensated for their losses”, he assured the people of Taliye Village.

Severe flooding has also affected parts of Mahad in Raigad where rescue teams were using helicopters to reach flood victims. Raigad district government said people are feared missing in the floods.

Massive flooding struck in Chiplun in Ratnagiri District, where flood waters were so high residents took refuge on the roofs of houses. Heavy rain also triggered landslides in the district. As of 24 July, 5 people had died and 12 were missing in landslides that struck areas around Posare.

In Satara district, officials said 379 villages have been affected, 1,324 families displaced, 18 people have lost their lives and a further 24 are missing. NDRF said teams were carrying out search and rescue in landslides in 2 locations in the district. As of 24 July, ten people were missing in a landslide in Mirgaon, while 6 people had died and 8 were still missing in a landslide in Ambeghar.

Social Media