The Hindu : National : Maharashtra death toll up to 743

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Saturday, Jul 30, 2005

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National

Maharashtra death toll up to 743

Special Correspondent

Rain stops in Mumbai; more feared trapped in Jui landslip

MUMBAI: The official death toll in the rain and resultant floods and landslips in Maharashtra rose to 743 on Friday evening, as rescuers found more bodies.

The horror of what lies buried in the landslip at Jui village in Raigad district is yet to unfold. The Army and reserve police personnel are awaiting heavy equipment to remove huge boulders and rocks underneath which about 150 persons are feared trapped.

The toll includes 370 dead in Mumbai, 53 in Navi Mumbai, 134 in Thane city, 24 in Thane rural, 57 in Raigad and 15 Ratnagiri. Sindhudurg, Kolhapur and Nanded districts have reported six deaths each while drought-prone Yavatmal reported five. Several other districts have also reported one to four deaths.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told reporters here that bereaved families were facing difficulty and harassment in claiming the bodies of the landslip victims at Saki Naka. He ordered that the bodies need not be taken to hospital for post mortem. The formalities could be done en mass and on the spot.

It has stopped raining in Mumbai, save stray showers and the city is limping back to normality. The downpour, however, continues in the neighbouring Thane district.

All-party meet

At an all-party meeting of legislators, municipal councillors and MPs from Mumbai and Thane, it was decided to combat the calamity together without indulging in allegations and counter-allegations. The people were angry (about not getting assistance from the government machinery), Mr. Deshmukh said and felt that the anger was justified. He called upon the legislators and municipal councillors to remain in their constituencies.

Mr. Deshmukh said top priority now was to provide rescue and relief to the affected. This was not the time to discuss who failed where and how.

The Chief Minister was perturbed at rumours spread by anti-social elements that a tsunami wave was on the way or that a dam had breached. At least 16 persons lost their life in a stampede triggered by rumours. "I can understand the competition among you in being first with the news but lives must not be lost due to your competition."

The traffic police were instructed to see that trucks carrying vegetables and milk tankers entered the cities and towns ahead of others.

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