Pune: At least 17 people were killed after heavy rains triggered a landslide in Maharashtra's Pune district, burying over 160 as rescuers searched for survivors and bodies in the massive debris of mud and rock.
Racing against time and battling inclement weather, NDRF personnel have pulled out 15 bodies from the rubble and as many injured survivors so far, sources in the emergency control room set up at adjoining Manchar Taluka told PTI.
The survivors have been admitted to nearby government-run health centres. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said over 160 people were believed to be trapped in 44 houses buried under the rubble after large parts of a hillside collapsed early this morning.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Malin village, the scene of the tragedy, in Ambegaon taluka of the district, some 120 km from the district headquarters.
During the visit, the Home Minister will meet the affected people and take stock of the rescue operations. He is also expected to hold a meeting with local authorities.
Singh is rushing to Pune after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him about the tragedy. Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar, besides some other ministers have already left for the village.
Large earth moving machinery have been pressed into service but the rescuers are moving slowly to avoid causing harm to the possible survivors, Pune collector Saurav Rao said, adding the operation to clear the rubble was on.
Large crowds have gathered at the spot and villagers could be seen moving fallen trees and rocks with bare hands to assist 300 National Disaster Response Force personnel in rescue efforts.
According to villagers, livestock and a temple were also swamped by the cascading debris. Efforts were on to restore communication lines disrupted due to landslide and heavy downpour.
Rescuers are racing against time to pull out as many survivors as they can before darkness sets in. Intermittent rains are making their task difficult, sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief and condolence.
Loss of lives in landslide in Pune dist. is saddening. Spoke to Rajnath ji & he would be travelling to Pune to take stock of the situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2014Prabhakar Deshmukh, the local commissioner of Pune district in Maharashtra state, said Wednesday's landslide in the village of Ambe had buried about 40 houses.
Landslide near Bhimashankar in Pune district,more than 15 people dead,many feared trapped
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2014Landslide near Bhimashankar in Pune district.One team of NDRF has left for the spot,one more team to leave shortly
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2014Meanwhile, Sandeep Rathore, IG of NDRF said, “We have sent 2 teams to the spot, rescue operations to begin shortly.”The villagers, police, disaster authorities and the Army were engaged in a combined relief and rescue operation.
Till noon, two people were rescued alive from the debris as a downpour hampered rescue operations.
We have sent 2 teams to the spot,rescue ops to begin shortly-Sandeep Rathore,IG,NDRF on Bhimshankar(Pune) landslide pic.twitter.com/nyFVvYLDPG
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 30, 2014 
