A landslide in Vikhroli, Mumbai, claimed two lives and left two injured as heavy rains triggered soil and rockslides. The victims were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where two were declared dead. Officials warn of more risks in vulnerable hillside settlements amid ongoing monsoon rains.
Landslide-hit house in Vikhroli. Pic/Shadab Khan
Heavy rains in Mumbai led to a tragic accident where two people lost their lives in the Vikhroli area in the early hours of Saturday, August 16.
The situation occurred after intense spells of rain led soil and stones slide from the hilly area and fall on one of the huts in the Jankalyan Society, Varsha Nagar, Vikhroli Park Site, Vikhroli (W). The landslide-like situation left several locals injured before they were sent to Rajawadi Hospital.
As per the information by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), soil and stones slid from the adjoining hilly terrain and collapsed onto a hut, trapping the people inside the house. However, as soon as the authorities were informed about the incident, emergency services, including the MFB, police, and ward staff, were rushed to the spot.
Just a few minutes after the authorities reached the sites, all the victims were evacuated and were swiftly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Dr Nikhil, Assistant Medical Officer at Rajawadi Hospital, confirmed that four people were brought in, out of which two were declared dead on arrival while the other two remain under medical care. The two people who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident have been identified as Shalu Mishra (19) and Suresh Mishra (50). The injured have been identified as Aarti Mishra (45) and Ruturaj Mishra (20), who are currently admitted to the trauma ward and are reported to be stable.
Despite warnings, several families continue to reside in vulnerable huts along the hillside due to a lack of alternate housing.
With Vikhroli recording over 250 mm of rain in parts of the city within the last 24 hours, officials fear more such incidents if preventive steps are not expedited.
A resident of Vikhroli Parksite, where a landslide claimed two lives on Saturday, alleged that the civic authorities had not sent any prior notice this year to evacuate the area, which is prone to such accidents during monsoons, reported the PTI.
"We did not receive any notice from the authorities this time. We are sleeping in our home, when suddenly around 2.30 am debris collapsed on one of the houses and a family was trapped," said Chaya Vasant Makwana, who has been residing in the locality for 25 years.
(with PTI inputs)
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