Tuesday 13 / May / 2025
Mumbai: The death toll due to walls collapsing on people as they crumble under the impact of Maharashtra's torrential rains has continued to rise.
36 people reportedly died in the Indian state of Maharashtra after torrential rains led to sections of walls collapsing over them, in three separate incidents
A wall collapsed in the Mumbai suburb of Malad, leading to the deaths of 27 people, while another wall collapse in a school in Kalyan saw three more people lose their lives. A further six were killed in the Indian city of Pune after a wall collapsed in Singhad College. Two people were admitted to hospital.
Search and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force were deployed to all locations to help search for survivors.
Satya N Pradhan, the Director General of the NDRF, confirmed the incidents, saying: “Three wall collapse incidents in Mumbai and Pune due to heavy rains in the area.
Team NDRF India are pained at the unfortunate loss of precious lives (and) takes part with other agencies in the rescue/relief efforts and saving innocent lives.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally met some of the injured who were rushed to hospital. He has promised a compensation of INR 5 lakh (INR 500,000 or OMR 2790) to the families of the deceased.
“There was heavy rainfall in Mumbai last night which led to accidents,” said Fadnavis. “In Malad, wall collapsed at least 13 died, 30-40 injured. I met them. Pained to know about the loss of lives in the Malad wall collapse incident. My thoughts are with families who lost loved ones and prayers for speedy recovery of injured. INR 5 lakh will be given to the kin of deceased.”
More rain is expected to affect parts of western India in the coming days, and the authorities have asked people to exercise caution.
Pune’s municipal corporation said: “In the coming hours, heavy rainfall is predicted by the Indian Meteorological Department in Pune, hence we request all citizens to avoid going out if not needed and take all precautions. In case of any emergency please contact the NDRF or fire brigade or police station for assistance.
Fire teams and the National Disaster Response Force were also sent to rescue people who had been crushed when a wall collapsed in Kurar village. 13 people unfortunately lost their lives and a further four were admitted to hospital.
“In an extremely unfortunate incident, 13 people died in the retaining wall collapse of a few hutments built on a hill slope in Kurar village. Fire Brigade and NDRF had rushed to the spot,” said the BMC. “Four people were rescued and have been admitted at the Shatabdi hospital. We pray for the departed souls and are watching over the injured admitted at the hospital.”
