Pune, Aug 5 (TNN): Another 22 bodies were pulled out from the Malin village landslide site on Monday, bringing the total number of bodies found since the rescue operations began to 129. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) expects to find the remaining 29 bodies over the next two days. The NDRF's excavation work was particularly tough on Monday due to the incessant heavy rain in the region.
The district administration has been conducting fumigation and house-to-house surveys in the village. District collector Saurabh Rao ruled out the possibility of any epidemic. He said the villagers have sought rehabilitation elsewhere and their demand has been conveyed to the state government. Some 83 villagers have been housed at the ashram school and the health centre for now. "We are keeping them engaged to help relieve their mental trauma," Rao said.
Footfalls drop at Bhimashankar
The Malin tragedy on July 30 has kept several devotees away from the famous Bhimashankar temple, which is around 40 km from the village. While around 2 lakh devotees visited the temple on July 27 (Sunday) and 28, the start of the holy month of Shravan, the number was barely 20,000 the next Sunday (August 3). Hoteliers have reported cancellation of accommodation booked in advance.