Maharashtra: Thane municipal body flags landslide-prone zones and amplifies vigilance

Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation has identified highly vulnerable landslide-prone zones within the city limits and directed teams to interact with residents living in these locations and update them with precautionary measures to be taken during the monsoon.Around 14 potential spots have been identified of which extremely risky stretches—Lokmanya Sawarkar nagar, Gholai and Atkoneshwar Nagar in Kalwa (E) and stretches along the Mumbra bypass— will see extra caution being taken by the administration, said senior officials. "We have issued cautions to families residing on hill slopes and foothill settlements, warning them of possible landslides during periods of intense rainfall. We have also asked them to alert the authorities if they spot any changes in the geographical condition or situations that could lead to mud or landslides during heavy rains. Details of shelter homes in the areas have also been identified and marked. The focus is on prompt evacuation and avoiding any loss of life during emergencies," said a senior official. Officials said sustained risk mitigation work over the years has been undertaken, but many residents continue to stay in some risky areas despite repeated warnings. Activists claim relocation efforts often face resistance as families lack alternative accommodation and fear losing access to jobs in the neighbourhood.The warnings come against the backdrop of previous monsoon tragedies in the region. A July 2021 landslide at Gholai Nagar in Kalwa claimed five lives, leaving others injured, underscoring the risks faced by residents living in unstable hillside settlements.