At least six people have been killed and four others injured after heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide in a densely populated neighbourhood of Mumbai early Wednesday.
The landslide occurred before dawn in the Ghatkopar suburb, where part of a hillside collapsed onto two or three homes in a tightly packed residential area, according to civic officials.
Emergency crews, including firefighters, police, the National Disaster Response Force and municipal officials, launched a rescue operation following the collapse. Their efforts were complicated by narrow lanes that prevented heavy machinery from reaching the site.
Rescuers pulled at least 10 people from the debris and transported them to a government hospital. Six victims, including two children and two teenagers, were pronounced dead on arrival. Four others remained hospitalized for treatment.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the affected area and announced financial compensation for the victims’ families.
India’s weather department has warned of continued active monsoon conditions across western parts of the country, prompting authorities to urge people living in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides to remain vigilant.
Mumbai, home to more than 20 million people, typically experiences its heaviest rainfall between June and September. Intense monsoon downpours frequently flood roads and railway lines, disrupt transportation and contribute to landslides and building collapses.
Crowded hillside communities are particularly vulnerable because many homes are constructed on unstable slopes.
Experts have warned that rapid urbanization, development on fragile hillsides and inadequate drainage have increased Mumbai’s exposure to monsoon-related disasters. Climate change is also contributing to concerns about heavier and increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
