Mahad (Maharashtra), July 26
At least 54 persons were killed today in the worst floods and landslides in Raigad district on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra in 16 years, a senior police official said.
At least 100 persons were feared to have died in sleep at Jui village of the district this morning when 20-odd houses were razed by huge boulders that hurtled down following the landslide, district Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Vhatkar said.
Thirtyfour persons were killed in a landslide at Kondiwate. Three bodies have been removed from the debris, while rescue operations were on to trace other victims believed to be crushed under boulders, Vhatkar said.
In another landslide at Roha, eight persons were killed and three more perished in Poladpur, he said.
Meanwhile, incessant heavy rains lashed the city and suburbs today paralysing road and rail traffic leading to suspension of long distance and suburban train services used by commuters returning home from offices.
Suburban train services on central, harbour and western routes were terminated in the evening due to flooding of tracks. Some outgoing long-distance trains were cancelled and several in-bound trains were detained at various places, railway sources said.
Meanwhile, about six Mumbai-bound flights were diverted to Ahmedabad due to poor visibility. Several flights were also delayed, airport sources said.
Communication system in the city was also affected badly and mobile phones and landline services stopped functioning for a while, the police
said.
