At least 14 people were killed in landslides and flood-related incidents brought on by record monsoon rains in western India even as several hundred locals trapped were rescued overnight.
The deaths have been reported from Raigad, Palgar and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra state since Thursday evening, with heavy rains forcing authorities to press in Indian Navy and Indian Air Force for rescue and evacuation efforts.
Seven people were killed in three landslides in Raigad, disaster management official Sagar Pathak said by phone.
“Torrential rains have destroyed bridges, buildings and homes in the region. Disaster teams rescued 600 people who were stranded in their homes or [on] rooftops.
Rescue efforts are hampered as the region is cut off as telecom towers are down, roads inundated and train services cancelled,” Pathak said.
Seven more people died in flood-related incidents in Palghar and Ratnagiri, the Hindustan Times daily reported, with authorities rescuing hundreds more in these areas.
Incessant rains over the past 24 hours led to floods in the region. This was the heaviest spell of rain in Maharashtra in July in 40 years, broadcaster NDTV reported.
Air Force helicopters were carrying out rescue operations in the coastal town of Chiplun which was submerged by floodwaters, the state’s relief minister, Vijay Wadettiwar, said.
More than 30 people have been killed in landslides and rain-related accidents in and around state capital Mumbai since last weekend.
Landslides and floods are common during India’s monsoon season, which occurs between June and October.
The rains are vital for agriculture, but often cause immense destruction of property and crops, and lead to the loss of hundreds of lives.
