Opinion | Shadow of death: Landslides, flood in Maharashtra

The shadow of loss of life is hovering over Raigad, Ratnagiri and Satara districts of Maharashtra, the place 129 folks have died throughout the previous 48 hours because of landslides and floods. Landslides in the Western ghats have badly broken roads and buildings, flood water has swept by means of many villages, cities and cities inflicting havoc. In a number of elements, whole villages have became rubble because of landslides from the hills. With the facility provide disconnected, there’s a full breakdown of communication. The met division has predicted steady rains for the subsequent three days. 

Rescue groups are discovering it troublesome to achieve the affected areas. India TV reporters have reached Ratnagiri, Raigad and Satara to report on the devastation triggered because of nature’s fury.

The worst hit is the Konkan area, the satisfaction of Western Ghats as a result of of its pure magnificence. This area immediately is witnessing widespread devastation triggered because of landslides and steady rains for 48 hours. Thirty-five homes have been turned to rubble as a result of of landslides in Talai village killing 49 folks. 

Till now, 38 our bodies have been recovered. Thirty-five extra are reported to be trapped in the rubble. In the Poladpur space of Raigad, 11 folks died because of landslides, whereas 13 died in the Satara district. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to ship military jawans for rescue and aid operations. Navy and Air Force personnel are additionally serving to in rescue efforts. 

Prime Minister  Narendra Modi has introduced the discharge of ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to households of these killed and Rs 50,000 to these critically injured.

While rescue operations are happening a battle footing, incessant rain is inflicting obstacles. The whole city of Chiplun has been submerged in eight to 10 toes deep water. Though water has began receding after rains stopped, however the flood has triggered large-scale havoc in its wake. 

India TV reporter Rajesh Singh who visited Chiplun on Friday despatched visuals of scores of vehicles mendacity upturned in water, and vans and tempos caught in drains. Many of the vehicles have been mendacity one upon one other. Our reporter needed to stroll a number of kilometers by means of the city as a result of of damaged roads, energy reduce and lack of communication.  Chiplun is the industrial hub of the Konkan area. It attracts tons of of vacationers each day. The authentic place of Maharashtra’s Chitpavan Brahmin group, this city is called the Goa of Maharashtra for its scenic magnificence. Now, the city lies in ruins. Palatial bungalows constructed on the Ghats have been devastated because of incessant rain, flood and landslides.

Konkan area just isn’t new to rains. Though it’s only 10 per cent of Maharashtra’s land space, it will get 46 per cent of rains throughout monsoon. Six massive dams have been constructed in this area, and for the reason that Sahyadri hills are nearer to the Arabian sea, this area faces the total brunt when monsoon clouds descend from the ocean.

BN Patil, who took over as Collector of Ratnagiri solely 15 days in the past, describes this as man-made catastrophe. He stated, the city of Chiplun is positioned on the banks of river Vashishta and there may be Kolkewadi dam close by. In their greed for cash and actual property, folks resorted to unlawful constructions even on the riverbed. As a end result, the movement of the Vashishta river was blocked at a number of factors resulting in flooding contained in the city. Due to heavy rains, the 4 gates of Kolkewadi dam needed to be opened to launch extra water inflicting extra floods. Patil says, he would take motion in opposition to unlawful constructions on riverbed as soon as the current disaster is over. On Friday got here information of the loss of life of 8 Covid-19 sufferers inside a hospital in Chiplun. They have been on ventilators and there was no electrical energy. Twelve Covid sufferers have been saved by native youths.

Landslides additionally occurred in Satara and Kolhapur districts killing 14 folks. Many have been lacking and are most likely mendacity trapped beneath the rubble. Several buildings have been turned to rubble when a significant landslide occurred in Ambeghar close to Patan in the Satara district. NDRF rescue workforce had a tricky time reaching the spots because of roads blocked by rubble. 640 mm rain was recorded close to the Koyna dam on Friday.

The total scene is disheartening. Twelve districts of Maharashtra have been badly hit by rains, flood and landslides. If rains proceed for the subsequent three days, it is going to trigger extra havoc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is retaining a detailed watch on the state of affairs. On Friday, he spoke to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray about rescue and aid operations.

The authorities is attempting its finest to supply meals and water for the victims who’ve been rendered homeless. People residing in landslide-prone areas are being evacuated to safer locations. The Centre is rendering all assist attainable to supply aid to the folks of Maharashtra. Let us pray that the folks of the state are saved from this catastrophe. It is our responsibility to render all assist to the victims of landslides and floods in Maharashtra.

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