In recent days, waves of heat waves, wildfires, torrential rains and flooding have wreaked havoc around the world, raising new concerns about the pace of climate change.
Officials said the state made the concession late at night in the remote village of Irshalwadi in the western state of Maharashtra, about 60 kilometers from Mumbai.
Deputy Prime Minister Devendra Fadnavis told state parliament that 10 bodies had been found and more than 80 people had been rescued, with an estimated at least 225 people living in the settlement. Initial reports said about 100 people may have been trapped under the rubble, and rescue workers struggled to find survivors in heavy rain and fog about 12 hours after the disaster, according to media.
“It’s tough to bring heavy equipment here. It’s a 2.7-mile hike to the site and you have to clear the debris by hand, which will probably take a long time.” Two years ago, more than 80 people died in a landslide in a nearby village. More rain is expected on Thursday, but it will not be too heavy, according to Meteorological Department officials, who have issued emergency warnings for the coast of Maharashtra and northern Gujarat, which have been hit by rain again this week.
