Landslides in India kill dozens, as monsoon floodwaters trap over 1,000

Officials said at least 47 were killed and over 30 missing after landslides in Maharashtra state, as monsoon rains hit western India

Authorities are on alert as heavy downfalls cause flooding in tech hub Hyderabad, which has seen its biggest rainfall in 10 years

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The National Disaster Response Force rescues an elderly woman stranded in floodwaters in Kolhapur, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Photo: AP

Published: 10:09pm, 23 Jul 2021Updated: 10:09pm, 23 Jul 2021

Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains hit parts of western India, killing at least 47 people and leading to the rescue of more than 1,000 other people trapped by floodwaters, officials said on Friday.

The dead were killed in three landslides in Raigad district in western Maharashtra state, said District Collector Nidhi Chaudhary. Many of those rescued were stranded on rooftops and even on top of buses on highways, she said.

State government official Sagar Pathak said in addition to the 47 dead, more than 30 people were missing after the landslides.

Chaudhary said the rains had slowed and water levels were coming down on Friday, making it easier for rescuers to reach the area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the loss of lives.

“The situation in Maharashtra due to heavy rains is being closely monitored and assistance is being provided to the affected,” Modi tweeted.

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