The Irshalwadi mudslide struck the tribal village in Khalapur tehsil of the coastal Raigad district, located approximately 80 km from Mumbai, around 10.30 pm on July 19. The village, situated on a hill slope and lacking a pucca road, faced significant challenges during rescue operations as earthmovers and excavators could not be easily mobilized. Consequently, rescue efforts were carried out manually by officials.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed the legislative assembly, stating that the Irshalwadi hamlet was not listed as a landslide-prone area, indicating the unpredictability of such natural disasters. In light of this tragedy and to prevent future occurrences, the state government took a crucial decision in the cabinet meeting to relocate people from all areas at risk of landslides. The rehabilitation will involve shifting the affected residents to safer locations permanently across the state, as PTI reported.
Initially, the residents of Irshalwadi were temporarily shifted to a school for immediate relief. However, in a bid to provide better accommodation until their rehabilitation, the government has ordered 60 containers to house them. Meanwhile, land has been identified for the residents' permanent rehabilitation, and the state agency CIDCO has been tasked to expedite the construction of houses.
As rescue operations continue in Irshalwadi, the incident has raised concerns about the safety and vulnerability of other landslide-prone regions within Maharashtra. The government's decision to relocate residents from such areas reflects a proactive approach to protect the lives and well-being of its citizens in the face of natural calamities.
