Raigad Landslide Claims 13 Lives: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde At Site

A tragic landslide struck Maharashtra's Raigad district early Thursday morning, resulting in the loss of at least 13 lives, with several others still trapped. The incident has affected around 48 families in the area.

In response to the devastating event, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. Additionally, the Maharashtra government will cover the expenses for the treatment of the injured individuals.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) promptly dispatched two teams to the location to conduct search and rescue operations. The landslide occurred in Irshalwadi village in Khalapur tehsil, Raigad, impacting the lives of 48 families.

UBT Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray also expressed his concern about the situation in Raigad. He acknowledged the challenges in reaching the affected villagers and highlighted the ongoing rescue efforts. Avoiding any political agenda, he emphasized the need to prioritize saving lives and later address questions about the incident.

According to the police, 12 bodies have been recovered from the debris, and sadly, one rescuer lost their life due to cardiac arrest.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally visited the site to oversee the ongoing rescue operation. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar reviewed the situation from the emergency control room.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his sorrow and conveyed condolences to the victims of the landslide. He informed that initial relief efforts were hampered by heavy rains and darkness, but they have now gained momentum. As of now, 75 people have been evacuated, and five casualties have been reported. The injured are receiving immediate treatment, with the state government taking full responsibility for covering their medical expenses. The government is continuously monitoring the situation and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Ministers Uday Samant and Dada Bhuse visited Irshalwadi in Raigad's Khalapur to assess the situation and provide support.