30 killed as wall collapses in Chembur, PM announces ex-gratia

15:34 July 18

Trying to resolve formal housing crisis in Mumbai, says Aditya Thackrey

Speaking to the media over the incident, state cabinet minister Aditya Thackrey said, "The incident was a natural disaster as more than 200 mm rainfall was recorded on Saturday. Muddy water came from the hill and the wall was made of RCC but nothing could stop the force of water. We are trying to resolve the formal housing crisis in Mumbai."

Meanwhile, Iqbal Chahal, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, said that the rescue operation is going on and debris will be cleared by today's evening. "We are also planning to take the people of surrounding areas to the safer place," he added.  

07:41 July 18

Maharashtra: At least 30 people were killed when a wall collapsed in Chembur's Bharat Nagar area in Mumbai due to a landslide, an official from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said on Sunday. The incident took place at around 1 am. Several people were rescued from the debris as per Mumbai's fire brigade team who were later shifted to hospital. Rescue operations for the people trapped are underway, said NDRF.  

Following incessant rains in Mumbai, several parts of the city reported waterlogging and the rainwater even entered houses located in Hanuman Nagar, Kandivali East area of Mumbai. Sion railway track in Mumbai was also waterlogged after continuous heavy rainfall. Routine movement of commuters' was affected as roads were waterlogged in Gandhi Market area .

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On Saturday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange alert for Mumbai and predicted rains in the city for the next 24 hours. To tackle waterlogging the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had rushed three teams to Mumbai on Saturday.  According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Tulsi lake, one of the two lakes that supplies water to the BMC area started overflowing due to rains. The lake supplies an average of 18 million liters (1.8 crore liters) of water to Mumbai per day.  

Three killed in Vikhroli hut collapse

Meanwhile, three people were killed as huts collapsed at Vikhroli. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives due to wall collapses in Chembur and Vikhroli in Mumbai. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs. 50,000 to those injured.  

In a series of PMO tweets, the Prime Minister said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to wall collapses in Chembur and Vikhroli in Mumbai. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that those who are injured have a speedy recovery: PM @narendramodi

Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to wall collapses in Mumbai. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those injured."

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over the loss of lives due to wall collapses in Chembur. Meanwhile,  Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced that the government would pay Rs 5 lakh each to the heirs of the deceased and free treatment in Chembur and Vikhroli incident.