In Maharashtra, the death toll in Malin landslide in Pune district has risen to 75. Despite best efforts by the rescuers, the removal of all bodies is likely to take at least two more days. National Disaster Response Force, NDRF, engaged in rescue work, says heavy rain is affecting their operations.

Meanwhile, Geological Survey of India, GSI, has said that heavy rain, flattening of a portion of the hill for cultivation and excessive deforestation are the causes for the landslide at the Malin village.

A GSI team, which visited the site, said that the use of heavy machinery over the past two years to level the land for cultivation has contributed to the crumbling of the hilltop. The GSI experts said, the slope of hill was flattened almost halfway for agriculture purposes to such an extent that the hilltop had become unstable. The expert had also reported excessive deforestation disrupting the ecology of the hill.