One person, Amit Singh Thakur(42) and his daughter Roshni Thakur(14) died during a massive landslide which was reported in Vagralpada, Rajavali, in Bhoidapada, Vasai at around 0600 hrs on Wednesday.
Two persons of a family have been rescued, said Dr Manek Gursal, District Collector, Palghar. Around 20 jawans and 2 officers of the National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) Pune and a dog squad led by Lovely, a female Labrador are at the spot and search & rescue operations are on. The Vasai civic fire brigade and Valiv police are at the spot to clear the debris and help the NDRF in rescue operations.
" The landslide was reported early morning and it was incessantly raining and we pressed the Fire Brigade and NDRF to the spot'" said Dr Gursal.
The dead persons are Amit Singh Thakur(42), daughter Roshni(14), while Vandana Singh(40) wife of Amit and son Om(12) have been rescued said an official. The Mitwa Chawl located under a hillock is illegal and is occupied by North Indians and other communities who work on a daily wage basis in nearby areas.
The landslide was due to heavy illegal excavation of mud by builders' lobby and as a result, the soil loosened leading to the landslide accompanied by incessant rains. At the time of the incident, the rescued persons Amit and daughter Roshni and Om were sleeping while Vandana was preparing breakfast for the family said sources.
We are waiting for the rains to stop and continue further search and rescue operations said Dr Gursal and because of heavy rains citizens are advised not to travel unless essential.
