On Wednesday few parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) including Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Badlapur, Dombivli, Naigaon and Vasai experienced a rainfall of 100mm plus. The heavy downpour caused 4 rivers to cross the danger mark that led to the death of 2 people. Two youths were saved from drowning by a Thane disaster relief force (TDRF) in Upwan Lake.
In response to the torrential, triple-digit rainfall on Wednesday, the Thane district administration took action to relocate hundreds of residents from Badlapur, Kalyan, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi, and Ambernath to safer areas. This decision was made after the Ulhas, Waldhuni, Bhatsa, Kalu, and Kamvari rivers surpassed their danger levels. Notably, Ulhasnagar received 111 mm of rain, Ambernath recorded 114 mm, Kalyan received 159 mm within a 24-hour period ending at 6 pm, and Badlapur experienced the highest rainfall in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, reaching 169 mm in the 24-hour period ending at 10 am on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Colaba observatory of the India Meteorological Department recorded 98 mm of rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 53 mm in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Wednesday. The city witnessed localized waterlogging in low-lying areas like Sion and the entrance to the Eastern Freeway in Chembur. Traffic congestion was reported in several parts of the city, and portions of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad national highway were also waterlogged.
On Thursday, the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) declared a holiday in Mumbai for primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools up to Class 12. Moreover, the SSC (Secondary School Certificate) and HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) supplementary exams scheduled for Thursday have been postponed to the following month. The SSC papers are scheduled for August 2 for subjects including physical education, electronic technology, and mechanical technology. Similarly, the HSC language papers originally set for Thursday (July 20) will be conducted on August 11.
According to an official statement on Thursday, a tragic landslide in Maharashtra’s Raigad district claimed the lives of at least four individuals. In response to reports suggesting that approximately 100 people might be trapped, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams have been swiftly deployed to the location. The landslide occurred around 11 p.m. on Wednesday in Irshalwadi village, situated in Khalapur tehsil. The unfortunate incident left over 20 people injured, and they have been taken to a hospital in Navi Mumbai for treatment. Upon learning of the situation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde promptly headed to the village to assess the situation firsthand, as reported by another official.
On Thursday morning, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the location of the landslide in Irshalwadi village, situated in Khalapur tehsil of Raigad district.
After the landslide in Raigad district, the district administration has reached out to trekking groups for assistance in conducting search and rescue operations. The landslide occurred at approximately 11 pm on Wednesday in Irshalwadi village, located about 80 km from Mumbai, as reported by an official. Situated near the Irshalgad fortress, which lies between Matheran and Panvel, the village is inaccessible by a proper road and is considered a tribal settlement.
Remarkably, this incident marks the most significant landslide in Maharashtra since the one that occurred in Malin village, Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district on July 30, 2014. The devastating 2014 landslide engulfed nearly the entire tribal village, which comprised around 50 families. By the time rescue operations ceased the death toll reached 153. Today, nothing remains of the old village except for its school building.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared that the deceased in the Raigad landslide incident will receive an ex gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each and free medical treatment will be given to people who have sustained injuries.