- The district of Ambegaon in Maharashtra is facing a potential landslide crisis, with villages like Kondhari and Dhanwali under threat. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified these villages as high-risk areas due to their location in the Sahyadri ranges.
- In 2014, Malin village in Ambegaon witnessed a tragic landslide that claimed the lives of 151 individuals. The GSI has since recommended permanent rehabilitation for some hamlets in the district, but the state government is yet to act on this proposal.
- The lack of connecting roads to these remote villages makes it difficult for emergency services to reach them during the monsoon season, when landslides are most likely to occur. Villagers in Kondhari and Dhanwali have been living in fear of landslides, with the Bhor tehsil administration having to evacuate around 100 residents in July 2024 due to heavy rainfall.
- The GSI has classified these villages as ‘dangerous,’ noting that the risk of landslides remains high. Residents like Bharati Kondhalkar, a former sarpanch of Kondhari village, are calling for urgent action to prevent another disaster like the one that struck Malin in 2014.
- With the monsoon season approaching, it is crucial for the state government to prioritize the safety and well-being of these vulnerable communities. The GSI’s warning should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to take proactive measures to mitigate the risk of landslides in Ambegaon district.
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