The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has upped the number of squads from 26 to 34 for conducting rescue operations in Maharashtra’s coastal districts affected by landslides and floods caused by heavy rains.

After consulting with the state administration, these teams are being deployed in impacted regions of Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Satara, Sangli, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, Pune, and Nagpur for rescue and relief operations, according to a representative for the federal contingency force.

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“In view of the severity of the situation, additional eight NDRF teams have been airlifted from Kolkata and Vadodara base which are being deployed in affected areas of Maharashtra,” the spokesperson said.

“This will take the total NDRF deployment to 34 teams,” the spokesperson said.

Until date, NDRF troops have rescued around 1,800 trapped individuals and transported 87 to safer locations, he added.

“These teams have also retrieved 52 bodies from various landslide sites and extensive searches are on for the missing persons,” he said.

The force is closely monitoring the weather forecast from the India Meteorological Department and the Central Water Commission’s report in relation to Mumbai and the coastal districts of Maharashtra’s Konkan region, which have been experiencing heavy rain for the past few days, according to the spokesperson.

Also Read: Monstrous Maharashtra monsoon breaks 40-year rain record. 10 points

A typical NDRF squad comprises of 47 people and is equipped with life-saving equipment, inflatable boats, and tree and pole cutters.

Following floods and landslides in Maharashtra, at least 76 people have perished, 38 have been wounded, and 59 have gone missing.

According to the state disaster management agency, Raigad district appears to be the most hit by the rainstorm, with 47 persons killed, including 37 in a landslide in Taliye village on Thursday.