25 killed as heavy monsoon rains lash Mumbai
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 18,2021 | EDITED : 10:07 PM,Jul 18,2021
National Disaster Response Force and other rescue team personnel inspect the site of the landslide in a slum area in Mumbai. - AFP
MUMBAI: At least 25 people died in three Mumbai suburbs when several houses collapsed after landslides triggered by heavy rain, local officials said on Sunday.
Rescuers were seen using their hands to dig up the ground and retrieve bodies, local television showed, and authorities said more victims could be trapped inside the debris. Rescuers were also shown carrying the injured through narrow lanes on makeshift stretchers.
Within the last 24 hours authorities have so far reported 11 incidents of houses or walls collapsing in the Mumbai area, officials said.
In one neighbourhood about half a dozen shacks located at the base of a hill collapsed on top of each other, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a tweet and announced aid for the victims.
Several areas in the city were flooded after heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours and suburban train services were disrupted, crippling India's financial capital.
Mumbai and the coast of India's industrial Maharashtra state are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next four days, the weather department said on Sunday.
Torrential rain, especially during India's July-September monsoon, often triggers the collapse of buildings, especially older or illegally built structures.
Meanwhile, the rain-related accidents occurred in two suburbs of Chembur and Vikhroli after torrential downpours pounded the metropolis from Saturday evening.
Residents were advised not to venture out in the open. Nineteen people were killed when six shanty homes collapsed in Chembur, local police officials said. Nine of those injured, who were rescued from the debris, were taken to hospital.
Separately, seven people were killed and two injured when several huts collapsed in Vikhroli, domestic media reported citing municipal officials.
Rescue operations were continuing in both areas as a few more people were feared to be trapped.
Rescue work were hampered owing to heavy rains and difficulties in access to congested localities where heavy equipment had to be taken in. Local television showed rescuers using hands to clear the rubble and retrieve bodies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and announced financial compensation for the injured and families of those who died.
Several areas in the city were inundated after the heavy rains and train services were disrupted, paralyzing daily life in India's financial capital.
Mumbai will continue to receive heavy rainfall over the next five days, the regional weather office said. Landslides and floods are common during India's monsoon season, which occurs between June and October.
The rains are vital for agriculture, but often cause immense destruction of property and crops, and lead to the loss of hundreds of lives.
- Reuters/dpa
Rescuers were seen using their hands to dig up the ground and retrieve bodies, local television showed, and authorities said more victims could be trapped inside the debris. Rescuers were also shown carrying the injured through narrow lanes on makeshift stretchers.
Within the last 24 hours authorities have so far reported 11 incidents of houses or walls collapsing in the Mumbai area, officials said.
In one neighbourhood about half a dozen shacks located at the base of a hill collapsed on top of each other, officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a tweet and announced aid for the victims.
Several areas in the city were flooded after heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours and suburban train services were disrupted, crippling India's financial capital.
Mumbai and the coast of India's industrial Maharashtra state are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next four days, the weather department said on Sunday.
Torrential rain, especially during India's July-September monsoon, often triggers the collapse of buildings, especially older or illegally built structures.
Meanwhile, the rain-related accidents occurred in two suburbs of Chembur and Vikhroli after torrential downpours pounded the metropolis from Saturday evening.
Residents were advised not to venture out in the open. Nineteen people were killed when six shanty homes collapsed in Chembur, local police officials said. Nine of those injured, who were rescued from the debris, were taken to hospital.
Separately, seven people were killed and two injured when several huts collapsed in Vikhroli, domestic media reported citing municipal officials.
Rescue operations were continuing in both areas as a few more people were feared to be trapped.
Rescue work were hampered owing to heavy rains and difficulties in access to congested localities where heavy equipment had to be taken in. Local television showed rescuers using hands to clear the rubble and retrieve bodies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and announced financial compensation for the injured and families of those who died.
Several areas in the city were inundated after the heavy rains and train services were disrupted, paralyzing daily life in India's financial capital.
Mumbai will continue to receive heavy rainfall over the next five days, the regional weather office said. Landslides and floods are common during India's monsoon season, which occurs between June and October.
The rains are vital for agriculture, but often cause immense destruction of property and crops, and lead to the loss of hundreds of lives.
- Reuters/dpa