Natural disasters in India: Mumbai landslide deaths rise and Shimla cracks trigger concern

A landslide in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai has resulted in eight deaths. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when soil and boulders fell from a hillock onto a row of shanties in Ashok Nagar following heavy rainfall. Rescuers recovered the body of 28-year-old Saddam Wazir Ali Khan on Thursday, bringing the death toll to eight. Seven other individuals were injured and are receiving treatment at civic-run hospitals. The National Disaster Response Force and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation conducted search operations, which have since been called off, though debris clearing continues. Residents of nearby shanties have been evacuated to temporary accommodations.

In Himachal Pradesh, residents of Shakrala village near Shimla are facing significant concern due to cracks appearing in houses and the surrounding terrain. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap stated that the district administration has requested a geological assessment from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to determine the cause. The administration is also coordinating with the State Disaster Management Authority and the Civil Engineering Department of Himachal Pradesh University to ensure public safety and monitor the situation closely.