MUMBAI: Irshaldwadi, a remote village in Maharashtra's Raigad district, witnessed a devastating landslide amidst heavy rainfall that had been lashing the region for days.

The horrifying incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, left at least 16 people dead and many others trapped under mounds of mud and debris.Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences, struggling to come to terms with the calamity.

One distraught man, who used to spend nights with his friends in a school located at the base of a hillock, shared his ordeal.

Sitting with his friends around 10.30pm that fateful night, they suddenly heard a deafening sound.

Realizing the danger, he rushed out of the school to save himself, only to discover later that a landslide had destroyed their homes.

His parents were now trapped under the debris, and he tearfully expressed the devastation of losing everything he had known.02:035 dead after landslide at village in Maharashtra's Raigad districtAnother survivor, a man who was asleep with his family, recounted how they were awakened by the sensation of being buried under rubble and mud.

Swiftly, they managed to extricate themselves and flee for their lives, but their house was left in ruins, adding to their distress.A woman who survived the disaster expressed her shock and inability to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy.

With her house buried in the landslide, she worried about her and her children's future amidst the relentless rains and scarcity of basic necessities.The rescue operation was in full swing as relatives of the affected people rushed to the site, hoping to find their loved ones safe.

An anganwadi worker, familiar with the area, informed reporters that the landslide had affected 43 out of 45 houses in the vicinity, leaving a total of 229 people, including 25 young children, stranded and devastated.As the survivors and witnesses grappled with the aftermath, the entire community mourned the loss of lives and homes.