Search operations for Raigad hillside victims resume

Teams of the NDRF, SDRF, Fire Brigade, and other local agencies reached the 550-metre Irshalgad Fort hill, a portion of which broke loose and buried a part of the tribal hamlet Irshalwadi nestled below.

The rescue operation was hampered owing to the inclement weather conditions in the hilly regions, and even a proposed aerial operation by IAF helicopters could not be taken up on Thursday.

Today, the teams have made arrangements for radio (walky-talky) communication as mobile phones are erratic there, an improvement over yesterday, and work started among foggy and wet conditions on the remote, inaccessible hilly terrain.

Several cranes, JCBs, poclains, Bobcats, debris removal trucks, and other sophisticated machines have reached here from Mumbai, Panvel, and other towns but await deployment.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was himself leading the rescue operation, while Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, President Nana Patole, cabinet ministers, and top police and civil officials were also present to oversee the rescue mission.

So far, 16 people have been killed, 21 have been rescued, and another 100 or more are still missing on Wednesday pre-midnight tragedy that shocked the nation.