Massive Landslide Kills 26 In India; Rescue Operations Being Hampered By Heavy Rains

A massive landslide that hit the western state of Maharashtra has claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals, the latest reports showed.

Citing accounts from disaster officials, Reuters reported that aside from the fatalities, dozens of individuals are feared to have been trapped and missing in the mud brought by the landslide.

Authorities are currently working on their rescue techniques and methods to save more victims of the landslide.

According to S.B. Singh, official from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), they could not determine yet how many people are still stuck and need to be rescued from the site of the landslide.

Rescue operations being hampered by torrential rains, foul smell of bodies

Despite the intention to save more lives, rescue officials are having a hard time continuing their operations because of the heavy rains.

According to NDRF Deputy Commandant Pramod Kumar Singh, they have been conducting rescue operations for the last three days.

"The landslide happened on a huge scale. On an average, about 15 feet sludge has accumulated. We are even using canines but because the debris is so deep, it is becoming difficult for us to trace people," he told The Indian Express.

The report noted that rescuers were having difficulties when it comes to bringing the heavy machinery to the village that was struck by the landslide.

The rescuers opted to manually excavate the debris through the use of shovels and axes to continue their rescue operations.

Local accounts cited by the report also said the foul odor coming from the victims' bodies have affected the operations.

Rescuers are already using and smelling camphor and Nilgiri oil so that they could continue the excavation process.

Read Also: India Extreme Heavy Rain: 22 Died From Flooding as Rescue Operations Continue

Missing individuals, damaged houses

The government of Maharashtra disclosed that around 105 individuals are still missing due to the landslide.

The landslide, which specifically hit the Irshalwadi village in Raigad district, destroyed at least 17 houses in the area, according to a BBC report.

Survivors recalled how the landslide made the mountain collapse, saying that this unfortunate incident never happened in the past.

People usually live in the area with thoughts that the mountain will stand still despite bad weather, the survivors said.

Aside from the rescue officials, some police personnel and medical teams are also helping in the relief efforts. Moreover, trekkers and locals also extended their hand in the rescue operations.

Animals were also not spared from the dangers of the deadly landslide.

According to Dr. Shyam Kadam of the Raigad Zilla Parishad's Animal Husbandry, a total of four bullocks and two goats were also killed due to the landslide.

Moreover, six bullocks, ten goats and one dog have been rescued alive from the debris. Right now, they are being treated by the veterinarians in the area.

"We are treating the secondary infection by administering antibiotics, painkillers and saline. They are being fed dry matter, which is being carried up to the spot by our team members," Kadam said in The Indian Express report.

Weather forecasters warned that the rainfall, which started two weeks ago, would continue in the next few days, including in the area of the Raigad district.