At least 43 die in heavy rains, landslides in western India

New Delhi, jul 23 (EFE).- At least 43 people have died in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after heavy rains caused flooding and landslides, officials said Friday.

“Rescue operations are underway in many places. I have ordered the evacuation and relocation of people who are living in areas where there is a possibility of landslides,” Uddhav Thackeray, head of the regional government, told a press conference.

Thackeray said rescue teams were facing difficulties in reaching the flooded areas due to damaged bridges and roads.

“The situation remains tense,” he added.

At least eight people have died and two others are still missing in the Satara District, local officials said.

Over 150 people in the city of Chiplun in the Ratnagiri district have been rescued since torrential rains started Thursday night, according to local authorities.

Indian Meteorological Department forecasts say that parts of Maharashtra as well as neighboring regions of Madhya Pradesh and Telangana will continue to experience heavy rains between Friday and Saturday.

Floods and landslides are common during India’s monsoon season, as are building collapses due to poor infrastructure, lack of maintenance and corruption.

Last Sunday, at least 17 people were killed and an unidentified number of people remain unaccounted for due to heavy flooding in Mumbai. EFE

daa/mp/lv