Mumbai Landslide: Second Day of Rescue as Two Still Feared Trapped in Sakinaka
MUMBAI: Rescue and search operations continued for the second day on Thursday (August 13, 2026) at the site of a landslide in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai, where two persons are still feared trapped under the debris, according to officials.
The landslide occurred in the early hours of Wednesday (August 12, 2026) following heavy rainfall, when soil and boulders from an adjoining hillock fell onto three shanties in Gaushiya Chawl, located in the Ashok Nagar locality of Chirag Nagar. The incident has so far claimed seven lives and left seven others injured.
Officials stated that a couple of individuals remain unaccounted for and are feared to be trapped under the debris. However, the rescue operation is being hampered by the narrow access to the site, which has restricted the use of heavy machinery. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the fire brigade, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are working together to locate and extricate any survivors.
The civic administration has evacuated residents from adjoining shanties as a precautionary measure and arranged temporary accommodation for those displaced. The BMC said it had previously issued warnings and conducted awareness drives in areas prone to landslides and rockfalls, particularly during the monsoon season, which is a recurring hazard in Mumbai's hilly terrains and informal settlements.
Landslides in Mumbai have historically been triggered by intense monsoon rains, which saturate the soil and destabilise slopes, especially where construction or deforestation has occurred. The city's vulnerability is heightened in densely populated areas where informal housing is often located close to hillocks and retaining walls. The Sakinaka incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by residents in such zones during the June–September monsoon period.
Local authorities have cordoned off the affected area to facilitate the search and rescue operation. Medical teams are on standby to provide immediate care to anyone pulled from the rubble. The district administration is coordinating with state disaster management agencies to ensure a swift response.
The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and slope-stabilisation measures in vulnerable pockets of the city. While the immediate focus remains on rescue, the longer-term need for sustainable urban planning and disaster-resilient infrastructure is being emphasised by experts and civic groups.
As rain continues to lash parts of Mumbai, the civic body has advised residents in high-risk zones to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols. The rescue teams are working round the clock, and officials have assured that every effort is being made to reach the trapped individuals within the shortest possible time.
