India flood death toll rises to almost 900
The number of people killed in record monsoon rains in west India climbed to near 900 on Friday after a stampede sparked by rumours of a burst dam in a Mumbai township and a landslide in a village, police said.
"We are now confirming that the number of dead in Mumbai is 370," said AN Roy, police chief of the western commercial hub.
The figure included 18 killed in the overnight stampede, 74 bodies dug out by rescuers from a landslide that engulfed houses in Mumbai's Sakinaka area and five other flood-linked deaths, Roy said, updating earlier tolls.
At least 513 people have been killed elsewhere in Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, according to BM Kulkarni, of the state police, taking the total number of confirmed deaths to 883.
The deaths were caused by landslides, drownings and building collapses that followed lashing rains that swept through the state from Monday.
The Mumbai weather bureau recorded 944,2ml of rainfall in the city in a 24-hour period ending mid-morning on Wednesday, the most rainfall ever recorded in a single day in India.
Weather officials have forecast more heavy rain for the city of 15-million, which since Thursday has been limping back to normal after being brought to a near-standstill earlier in the week. - Sapa-AFP
posted by rushes @ 04:00
Interesting compilation of articles. All that can go wrong in Mumbai has gone wrong.
Last night was watching news and they were reporting that it had rained again and water was knee high at places like Parel and Byculla
There was devastation all over. Water was waist high at some places. All transportation system has come to a grinding halt. Police is advising people to stay at home.
When will the government start investing for people, for infrastructure rather than investing in Mumbai as a business hub….
Really sad…