EVACUATED: 90,000 people have been evacuated after catastrophic floods and landslides in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Photo: AP
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The death toll is rising in connection with the ongoing flood disaster in India.
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Maharashtra is currently hit by the worst rainfall in the state in 40 years. The huge amounts of rainfall have led to landslides that have taken at least 96 lives.
Extensive search operations are now underway for survivors.
Around 1,000 people have been trapped in buildings and vehicles, and almost 90,000 people are said to have been evacuated from the area.
The military, navy, air force and emergency squad are deployed in the rescue work, according to Al Jazeera.
– Unparalleled
One of the landslides leveled the village of Taliye southeast of Mumbai, with the ground. Dozens of people are still missing in the village.
The Prime Minister, Udhav Thackeray, will visit Taliye on Saturday.
– We do what we have to do to save lives and property, he says according to Al Jazeera.
– The rain showers are unparalleled, and we are facing an unexpected emergency.
In the Satara district, an additional 27 people have been confirmed dead after buildings were washed away by the flood.
In total, the death toll in connection with the floods in the state is now up to 125, according to Reuters.
In parts of western India, there has been up to 600 millimeters of rainfall per day. Several areas have been evacuated before flooded dams have to be emptied.
HUGE amounts of water: Floods during the monsoon season in India are not uncommon. Nevertheless, precipitation has increased in recent years. Here from Kolhapur on Friday.
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The city of Mumbai is located in the state of Maharashtra. At least two people have died and several have been injured when a building collapsed as a result of flooding.
The highway between Mumbai and Bangalore is partly under water, and vehicles have been stuck for several hours.
A coastal district is also completely isolated after bridges and mobile masts have collapsed. The destroyed infrastructure in the area creates challenges for the rescue work.
– The situation in Maharashtra after the heavy rain is closely monitored, and those affected receive assistance, writes Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a statement on Twitter.
He also expresses despair over the loss of human life.
—-COLLAPSE: A building in Mumbai collapsed on Friday after heavy rain. Photo: HEMANSHI KAMANI / X06991
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Extreme weather is ravaging the world
Also in China and Central Europe, heavy rains have caused enormous damage in recent weeks. In addition, heat waves have turned parts of Canada and the northwestern United States upside down.
This year’s June was the warmest ever in North America.
The violent weather is creating new concern about the consequences of climate change.
In India, floods are not uncommon during the monsoon season. However, rainfall has increased in recent years, according to BBC.
The heavy rains in Maharashtra are expected to continue in the coming days.
Climate researcher on the Great Flood in Central Europe: – Has surprised me
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