MUMBAI: The tragic landslide in Irshalwadi village at the foothills of Irshalgad in Khalapur taluka of Raigad district kiling 10 people so far, is a fallout of sudden cloudburst which led to 400 mm rainfall within just 24 hours eventually bringing down entire hilltop onto the village killing people on the spot. So far 100 villagers have been rescued.
However, environmentalits say the constant soil erosion due to lack of vegetation and construction, quarrying and digging works around, the terrains across the sahyadri mountain range have largely become susceptible to such heavy rains putting the lives of lakhs of people living at the foothills in danger.
The western ghats is witnessing landslides one after another. What happened on 19 July, 2023 in Irshalgad appears to be a repeat of what had happened in Malin and Taliye villages over the last decade in the Sahyadri ranges, say experts and activists.
