Bridge collapses on Mumbai-Goa highway, two ST buses with 22 passengers missing
Picture Courtesy : Hindustan Times
At least 22 people have been reported missing after a bridge on the Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed late Tuesday night.
The incident happened around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, when a British-era bridge across the Savitri river gave in and collapsed under the river. The bridge was located 5 km from Mahad in Raigad District and around 160 km from Mumbai.
According to preliminary investigation, the high pressure caused by the flooding of the Savitri river due to heavy rains in Mahabaleshwar led to the bridge’s collapse. In the last 24 hours, Mahad recorded 230 mm rainfall, whereas Poladpur, located upstream on the Savitri river, recorded 260 mm rainfall. The Mahabaleshwar plateau recorded 390 mm rain during the same period.
Update on Mahad Bridge Collapse: More bodies found, search for 30 more persons underway
As of 9 am on Wednesday, at least 7-8 private vehicles and two Mumbai-bound state transport buses are believed to have fallen in the river. The ST buses with nine passengers and two drivers & conductors each started from Chiplun and fell into the ditch caused by the collapsed bridge. The buses were Borivali – Rajapur (MH 40 N 9739) and Jaigad – Mumbai (MH 20 BL 1538).
At least 22 people have been reported missing due the the incident. The number is likely to increase.
After the incident, officials from the traffic police and district administration reached the spot and diverted the traffic through a different route. The traffic on the approach roads, which had been on a standstill for a few hours, is being rerouted via Mangaon, Birwade and Dadli. The movement of heavy vehicles has been restricted.
Meanwhile, three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising of around 80 personnel, have been deployed for conducting rescue operations.
The state government also set up a help line to assist those seeking information. The helpline numbers are (02141) 222118 and 1077 (toll free).
A Coast Guard helicopter has also been roped in, but heavy rains and flooded river are making the rescue operations difficult.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have taken note of the situation and assured prompt action.
Update (11 am): One Sea King 42B helicopter on another mission was diverted to Mahad for search operations (ANI)
Update (12:20 pm): Raigad district collector Sheetal Ugale confirmed that two bodies have been recovered so far. Currently, 4 NDRF team comprising of 115 personnel are conducting rescue operation with the help of 12 boats and 2 helicopters.
Update (12:35 pm): Navy’s all weather aircraft deployed for rescue operation. Some of the missing passengers have been identified:
Jaigad-Mumbai bus passengers
Sunil Mahadev Baiker, Sneha Sunil Baiker, Deepali Krishna Balekar, Anil Santosh Balekar, Prashant Prakash Mane, Dhondu Babaji Kokare, Avinash Sakharam Malap, Suhani Suhas Balekar
Rajapur-Borivali bus passengers
Aatif Menon, Advait Altaf, Baalkrishna Babya Varak, J.Baane, Shri. Vaaghu
Update (2:30 pm): New reports suggest 12 persons are feared dead. However, only two bodies have been recovered so far.
Update (4 pm): Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrives in Mahad to take stock of the situation. Rescue operation still underway.
Update (6:10 pm): Rescue operations halted due to bad light. Will be resumed from early morning tomorrow.
Fadnavis is working hands on with the authorities and keeping a check on the rescue operations. He even apprised the citizens of the situation by sharing updates on his micro-blogging account:
Spoke to Raigad SP & Collector about bridge collapse on Mumbai-Goa highway.
Administration has rushed to spot for rescue&immediate measures.— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of river Savitri due to heavy rains in catchment of Mahabaleshwar.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
There were 2 parallel bridges : one is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era.
The old one got collapsed.— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
Mumbai goa highway near mahad on savitri river bridge is collapsed pic.twitter.com/9zEgTjXgye
— niranjan (@npsinghsm) August 3, 2016
Aerial view of the collapsed bridge. Picture: ANI
Navy’s All Weather Plane on spot for rescue operation. Picture: ANI
CM Fadnavis arrives on spot
