Maharashtra: 10 killed in landslide at Irshalwadi village in Raigad, says Devendra Fadnavis in assembly

Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday told the state legislative assembly that 10 persons were killed in the landslide at Irshalwadi village in Raigad district, according to the PTI.

The landslide at Irshalwadi occurred late Wednesday night.

In Photos: CM Eknath Shinde visits Raigad landslide site

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"Ten persons have died in the Irshalwadi landslide incident. The area where the landslide took place reported 499 mm rainfall in the last three days," Devendra Fadnavis said, according to the PTI.

As many as 60 jawans of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), trained trekkers and other government officials are engaged in the rescue operation, he said.

Two helicopters of the Indian Air Force are also ready to provide any kind of support, but they cannot take off due to bad weather. A temporary helipad has been created near the landslide-hit village, the deputy CM added.

"Some 500 staff of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) are also sent there to help with the ongoing rescue work. We have also informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the incident," he said.

State Congress president Nana Patole said, "The Madhav Gadgil committee (on environment) was formed during the UPA-II government. But the report was never published. The state government should clarify why the report is not out yet."

Responding to it, Fadnavis said, "The Gadgil committee report was submitted to the Union government, which has recommended mapping of the villages in the

Western Ghats. Maharashtra has completed the mapping. Similar work of other two states is pending."

Meanwhile, Mumbai's civic body has sent equipment for rescue and relief operations in connection with the landslide in Irshalwadi in Raigad district that killed at least 12 persons, an official said on Thursday.

He said, acting on the directive of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had sent three Bobcat-make machines from its solid waste management department sites at Mahim, Juhu and Mulund.

These backhoe loaders, with greater manoeuvrability due to their small size, are being ferried by vehicles along with an earth-mover from the civic hydraulic department, he added.

The CM, who is at the site, asked the BMC to send these equipment on war footing, a civic statement said.

Meanwhile, Thane Municipal Corporation disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said rescue teams and equipment have moved towards the site of the landslide in the early hours of the day.

A team of the Thane Disaster Response Force, fire engines from CBD Belapur, Vashi and Khoparkhairane in Navi Mumbai, and personnel along with 10 ambulances have been dispatched, he said.

(with PTI inputs)