Landslide at Lavasa near Pune, many villas disappeared overnight, 3 people missing

Lavasa city near Pune, a privately developed hill station witnessed cloudburst like situation on the intervening night of 24th and 25th July. As a result, multiple landslides were reported in Lavasa. As per the primary report, three to four people are believed to be trapped, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rushed one team to the spot.

In the last 24 hours ending 7:30 am on July 25, Lavasa received 417 mm rainfall, while Lonavala another popular hill station in the region got 299.5 mm. It was followed by Junnar with 214 mm of rainfall.

This intense rain has caused villa collapses in the mountainous region. Some of these villas that were perched high on hilltops have slid and relocated on the main roads. An electrician who was working on wiring in the area has not been found yet, and another person who was with him is also missing.

Landslides have occurred at three locations between the Lavasa valley and its entrance from Pune, including at the Helipad, Ekaant Hotel, and Antariksh Hotel, leading to significant traffic congestion and cutting off Lavasa’s connection from the rest of the world.

Cracks have appeared on the road from Lavasa to Warasgaon, and near the crematorium at Padalghar, a landslide has swept away part of the road. In the Aadmal area, electricity poles have been destroyed, causing a total power outage.

Efforts are ongoing to determine if anyone is trapped in the collapsed villas. Officers and employees from Lavasa have been involved in the rescue work since this morning, but large mounds of mud are hampering their progress.

In some areas, rescue workers are stuck in waist-deep mud, causing temporary suspension of the rescue operations.