Pune landslide: Over 15 dead, several feared trapped; search on for survivors
At least 18 people are estimated to have been killed and over 100 are feared trapped under debris after a landslide triggered by heavy rains hit a village in Pune district of Maharashtra on Wednesday.
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Pune: At least 18 people are estimated to have been killed and over 100 are feared trapped under debris after a landslide triggered by heavy rains hit a village in Pune district of Maharashtra on Wednesday morning.
Around forty houses in Malin village in Ambegaon taluk of the district that came in the landslide`s path of destruction were completely destroyed. The landslide was triggered after two lakes in the region overflowed today. There are over 750 residents in the village, reports said. The ill-fated village is just 10 kilometres from Bhimashankar Jyotirling Temple and 70 kilometres from Pune city.
Also See: Pune Landslide: Before & After
The district administration has activated search and rescue operations. Seven NDRF teams have reached the affected area and started rescue operation with state-of-the-art equipment and communication sets. Two more teams are moving from Mumbai. With rescue work underway, six trapped victims have been rescued so far.
All seven NDRF teams reached and have started rescue operation. Two more teams are moving from Mumbai @HMOIndia .
— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 30, 2014
Rescue teams are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and communication sets. Two UAVs also to join in on-going rescue work @HMOIndia— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 30, 2014
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is heading for Pune to visit the landslide affected area on Thursday. He will also review the rescue operations that are underway to rescue the people trapped under the debris.
Rajnath decided to leave for the devastated Pune village after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him on the tragedy.
Modi said that the loss of lives in the landslide in the Pune`s district Malin village is saddening. "Loss of lives in landslide in Pune district is saddening. Spoke to Rajnath ji and he would be travelling to Pune to take stock of the situation," Modi tweeted.
Loss of lives in landslide in Pune dist. is saddening. Spoke to Rajnath ji & he would be travelling to Pune to take stock of the situation.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2014
However, heavy rains coupled with remoteness of the area is hampering rescue work. The district collector and other officials are at the spot.