The death toll from a devastating landslide that struck the western state of Maharashtra, India, has reached 26, with fears that many more remain trapped beneath layers of mud and slush.
The calamity took place on Thursday night in the remote mountain village of Irshalwadi, situated approximately 60 km from the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, as the force of the landslide flattened several houses.
The hamlet, which was home to an estimated 225 people, now faces the grim reality of a disaster aftermath.
Out of the inhabitants, only around 80 individuals managed to escape the catastrophe unharmed, leaving dozens unaccounted for.
The local media reported on Saturday that approximately 80 people were still missing, fueling concerns for their safety.
Efforts to locate and rescue those trapped are in full swing, led by the dedicated teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), an official said acknowledging the challenges faced by rescue teams, stating that their progress was hindered by incessant rainfall, poor visibility, and the hilly terrain.
Nevertheless, the teams are persevering, equipped with specialized technical tools and rescue techniques to navigate the treacherous landscape.
Despite the harsh conditions, rescue operations have yielded some results, with four more bodies being retrieved from the debris on Saturday.
The scale of the calamity is further highlighted by the fact that 16 to 17 houses were affected by the landslide, leading to the relocation of several families from the region.
