In two similar incidents of wall collapse due to heavy rains, lives of 18 people were lost in Mumbai and Pune.
In Mumbai, wall collapse claimed 12 lives leaving 76 injured. According to reports, a wall had fallen on a few hutments, which had been built on a hill slope, at 2 AM in Pimpripada in Malad East area .
Officials fear that some people are still trapped under the debris.
A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team reaching the incident site has also deployed a dog squad at the spot. Simultaneously, fire brigade and police are also carrying out search operations at the site.
On the other hand, a wall collapsed near Ambegaon police station killing six persons and leaving three injured in Pune. Reportedly, the incident occurred around midnight last night. NDRF team is at the spot and carrying out rescue operations.
The decade's highest rainfall has paralysed normal life in the city for the fifth consecutive day today. Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday in Mumbai for the safety of the citizens following IMD's very heavy rainfall forecast. All public and private schools and colleges in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Konkan areas have been ordered to remain shut.
Train and flight services have also been affected in Mumbai.
