A compound wall collapsed due to heavy rains at Malad East, in Mumbai early Tuesday morning. The incident took place at Kurar village, Pimparipada- Malad East. So far 18 dead bodies have been recovered and 5 are in critical condition. The wall collapsed on hutments leading to these deaths. 18 people have been admitted to the trauma centre at Jogeshwari and Shatabdi hospital, Kandivali. The rescue workers have located a woman and a child inside the debris, and effort is on to reach them as soon as possible.
NDRF team is carrying dog squad too to trace people who may be trapped inside the rubble. Police and fire brigade teams are also in the spot to facilitate relief and rescue work.
"Rescue work is still going on," the official added. "So far we have rescued more than a dozen people."
More than 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rain fell over 24 hours in some areas, flooding streets and railway tracks, forcing the suspension of some suburban train services, which millions of commuters ride to work each day. More severe rainfall is expected in the next 24-48 hours aggravating the situation in Mumbai.
Maharashtra government has announced ex-gratia Rs 5 lakh for the deceased. Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, "Pained to know about the loss of lives in Malad Wall Collapse incidence. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones & prayers for the speedy recovery of injured. ₹5 lakh will be given to the kin of the deceased".
In a separate incident, a wall collapsed in Pune leading to the death of six people near Ambegaon. Four out of six dead in Pune are from Chhattisgarh. 4 men and 2 women died in the accident. 3 people also died in wall collapse in Kalyan, in outskirts of Mumbai.
Amid heavy downpour causing waterlogging at various places in the state, the government and private schools will remain closed today, July 2. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) spokesperson said in its statement, "All government as well as private schools to remain closed today, July 2."
With agency inputs
