More than one lakh people, spread across around 22,500 families, are residing in landslide-prone locations across Mumbai, with the Vikhroli-Bhandup belt accounting for the largest concentration of vulnerable settlements.
According to BMC data, the Vikhroli-Bhandup belt has 152 identified landslide-prone sites, where an estimated 49,000 to 50,000 people live. Kurla’s Hill No. 3 is another high-risk location. A landslide at the site in 2005 claimed 78 lives.
“We have been living here for more than two decades and have always seen small stones falling from the hill. This time, boulders and mud fell on our hutment,” said Yunisa Sheikh, whose house was damaged in Tuesday night’s landslide.
Mumbai has identified 257 landslide-prone locations. Of these, 74 were classified as highly vulnerable following a Geological Survey of India (GSI) assessment. A BMC official said 47 locations fall under the “most dangerous” category, while 25 are classified as “dangerous”.
Activist Anil Galgali said the Slum Rehabilitation Authority had prepared a list of vulnerable locations about 15 years ago, identifying nearly 9,657 hutments for relocation. According to him, the list was submitted to the state government, but relocation has not progressed.
Ghatkopar has 32 landslide-prone locations, with an estimated population of 15,000 to 26,000.
“We issue notices before every monsoon and appeal to residents to move from dangerous areas. We have put permanent notices at every location,” said a BMC official. The civic body said retaining walls are constructed through the Slum Improvement Board at several sites.
Following Tuesday’s incident, BMC’s L Ward decided to move families living within 50 to 100 metres of the affected area to Mohili Village Civic School.
Residents, however, say relocation is difficult because of employment and education commitments. “Every year in May, the BMC issues notices asking us to shift from our houses, but we have no other option. Our jobs and our children’s schools are in this area. No one wants to live in such conditions, but we have no choice. The BMC has put up a safety net around the hill,” said Arvind Yadav, a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Bhandup.
Muhamad Sahil, who lost his rented home in the Kurla landslide, is currently staying at Kaju Pada Municipal School, being used as a shelter. “We came back early this time as there was less rain than usual in Mumbai. We returned from the village 10 days ago, and today we lost everything,” he said.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
