The number of fatalities resulting from a significant landslip in Maharashtra state, India, has increased to 27 as of Sunday.
The rescue efforts has been greatly hindered as a result of the incessant rainfall, with approximately 50 individuals still unaccounted for.
The occurrence of the landslip was initiated by the monsoon precipitation on Thursday, resulting in the forceful collision with a village situated in the Raigad district. This district is characterised by its hilly terrain and abundant vegetation, located approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) away from Mumbai.
Emergency response teams are currently engaged in excavation efforts to recover deceased individuals from the accumulations of soil and debris.
“We’ve so far counted 27 bodies, and about 50 to 60 people are still missing, but there are multiple challenges for rescue work at the site,” Raigad official Yogesh Mhase told AFP on Sunday.
Mhase reported that the isolated hamlet was approximately five kilometres from the closest road.
“No heavy equipment can reach this site, we only have small machines and most work has to be done manually,” he added.
“Non-stop heavy rains in the region are also making the entire operation much more challenging.”
The district official expressed a lack of optimism regarding the possibility of finding survivors on the fourth day of the ongoing rescue operation.
According to local media reports, numerous families were completely wiped out, while some survivors were the sole remaining members among their relatives.
India has experienced significant rainfall and subsequent flooding and landslides, resulting in numerous casualties, since the onset of the monsoon season in June.
