15 dead in Pune landslide, rescue operations on

Chief Minister said over 160 people were believed to be trapped in 44 houses buried under the rubble

At least 15 people were killed after heavy rains triggered a landslide in Maharashtra's Pune district, burying over 160 as rescuers searched for survivors and bodies in the massive debris of mud and rock.

Racing against time and battling inclement weather, NDRF personnel have pulled out 15 bodies from the rubble and as many injured survivors so far, sources in the emergency control room set up at adjoining Manchar taluka said.

The survivors have been admitted to nearby government-run health centres.

Chief Minister prithviraj Chavan said over 160 people were believed to be trapped in 44 houses buried under the rubble after large parts of a hillside collapsed early this morning.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Malin village, the scene of the tragedy, in Ambegaon taluka of the district, some 120 km from the district headquarters.

During the visit, the Home Minister will meet the affected people and take stock of the rescue operations. He is also expected to hold a meeting with local authorities.

Singh is rushing to Pune after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him about the tragedy. Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar, besides some other ministers have already left for the village.

Large earth moving machinery have been pressed into service but the rescuers are moving slowly to avoid causing harm to the possible survivors, Pune collector Saurav Rao said, adding the operation to clear the rubble was on.

Large crowds have gathered at the spot and villagers could be seen moving fallen trees and rocks with bare hands to assist 300 National Disaster Response Force personnel in rescue efforts. According to villagers, livestock and a temple were also swamped by the cascading debris.

Efforts were on to restore communication lines disrupted due to landslide and heavy downpour.

Rescuers are racing against time to pull out as many survivors as they can before darkness sets in. Intermittent rains are making their task difficult, sources said.

Meanwhile, NCP has termed the incident as "unfortunate" and appealed to parties against politicising the tragedy.

"The CM and the Deputy CM have reached the incident spot and are overseeing the rescue operations. It is the duty of the state government to provide immediate relief to those affected by the incident, which the state government is doing.

Once the evacuation process is over the state government will provide help to those affected. We as a party too will work out a way to help the people," NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare told reporters in Mumbai.

He said that natural disasters have become a ground for playing politics. "But no politics should be played over such calamities," Tatkare added.