23 die as heavy rain hits Mumbai, several feared trapped after landslides

www.mangaloretoday.com

Mumbai, July 18, 2021: At least 23 people have died after they got trapped under the rubble of their homes in Mumbai’s Chembur and Vikhroli areas following heavy rains that lashed the city and its suburbs for several hours late yesterday night and early this morning. A red alert has been sounded in the city and people have been advised not to venture out in the open.

Maharashtra | Heavy rainfall floods parts of Mumbai; visuals from Nalasopara

Indian Meteorological Department has forecast generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain today. pic.twitter.com/d3FqtYjNJt

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2021

A ground-plus-one residential building collapsed in Vikhroli area in the morning hours of Sunday, killing three people, as per BMC, the city’s municipal body.

Fifteen people have been rescued from Chembur’s Bharat Nagar area and nine people from Vikroli’s Surya Nagar, officials said, adding that those injured have been moved to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Rescue operation is still on in both these areas as more people are feared to be trapped, the official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the loss of lives and announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh each to the families of those who died. "Rs. 50,000 would be given to those injured," his office said on Twitter.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s office, meanwhile, announced ₹ 5 lakh each to the families of the victims. Earlier state Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, who is the son of the Chief Minister, visited the accident site in Chembur.