Disaster management officials inspect homes buried under debris after a landslide in Naigaon, Bhiwandi | File Photo
Thane: A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall late Monday night forced five families to vacate their homes in the Naigaon area of Bhiwandi. While no casualties have been reported, five houses — including two temporary structures — were buried under debris from the hillside.
BNCMC Deploys Disaster Teams; Power Cut to Prevent Hazards
The Bhiwandi Nizampura City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) quickly responded to the incident, dispatching disaster management teams and a fire engine to assess the situation and provide assistance.
Residents Ignored Prior Evacuation Warnings, Say Officials
Civic body urged residents who live on the spot to vacate, but they did not leave their homes. As a result, the electricity supply to approximately 15 homes, including five affected homes, was suspended to avoid any potential hazards.
PRO Shrikant Pardeshi told The Free Press Journal that evacuation notices had been issued to residents in advance. “We had served them evacuation notices earlier, but the orders were not heeded,” he said. “Electricity supply was disconnected to prevent any untoward incident.”
Warnings Issued as Early as May, Temporary Shelters Arranged
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Manik Jadhav added that the notices were issued as early as May. “We had placed banners warning that it is dangerous to live in the area, but the residents did not take the warnings seriously. Temporary shelters are arranged at a nearby school, though residents chose to move in with relatives instead,” Jadhav said.
The municipal corporation continues to monitor the situation closely as rains persist in the region, said civic officer.
