The NDRF recovered nine more dead bodies from the debris on the third day of rescue operations at landslide-affected Irshalwadi village in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. As the death toll in the tragedy rose to 25 on Saturday, environmentalists blamed mining activities for this “manmade disaster”, with at least two organisations writing to the government to put a ban on quarries in the region.
Irshalwadi village with a population of 228 persons was swept under mud and stones, amid heavy rainfall, late at night on July 19. Till now, while 25 have died in the disaster, at least 104 residents of the village remain missing. Among the survivors, some have lost their entire family, whereas some are rendered homeless. The rescue operations at the remote village are being carried out by four teams of over 100 NDRF personnel, besides the state rescue units.
