Pune: Three days after Ambegaon village in Maharashtra's Pune district witnessed the state's worst ever landslide, over 120 people are still feared trapped in debris.
Rescue operations are likely to gather momentum on Friday with some relief from rains. The death toll rose to 56 on Friday even as rescue teams fought unfavourable weather conditions. Nine people have been injured and eight people were pulled out alive by the rescue teams.
National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel say the biggest challenge facing them is the removal of the slush and mud because of which they are unable to deploy sophisticated equipment. They said that 30 per cent of the removal of slush has been done, and they will start canine search operations today.
Experts say deforestation over the years has resulted in the soil giving way, leading to the disaster.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the site on Thursday. "It is a very sad incident. The district authorities, NDRF and state officials reached within three hours. The Prime Minister has expressed his condolence and Rs 2 lakh from the PM relief fund will be given to the families of the victims," he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had also visited the site on Wednesday and reviewed the rescue operations. The state administration has asked the district collectors of Pune, Satara, Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigad to identify landslide-prone areas for precautionary evacuation.
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