MUMBAI: Kishore Subhash Ghasing (34), who has been living at the New Bharat Nagar hill slope in Mahul for nearly two decades, survived the landslide as he was busy preparing for the marriage ceremony of his younger sister, Rekha.
“My sister got married today (Sunday), but I did not attend it. There were no celebrations as we have lost several of our neighbours in this tragedy. I did not sleep at my usual spot as there were last minute arrangements to made, so I did not get hurt. But my older brother-in-law Yogesh Gangwane suffered a back injury and a fracture in the leg,” said Ghasing.
When asked how they stay so perilously close to the retaining wall of BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) atop the hill, Ghasing said, “Everyone here is lower middle class, and desperately need asmall roof over their heads in the city. Many are staying on rent despite being aware of the dangers.”
Like Ghasing, Suresh Jagdaonkar (45), who earns his living by painting walls and buildings, was fortunate as he and his entire family escaped the landslide. “Since it was raining heavily on Saturday night, and I also had to finish a chore at my mother-in-law’s house in neighbouring Ashok Nagar, my wife and I decided to spend the night there. Our three children were watching television and later climbed up to the mezzanine floor to sleep. When the landslide occurred, it brought in all the earth, stones, gravel into our house as the front door was smashed by the force. My kids’ two pet chickens who were buried in the rubble were also rescued,” said Jagdaonkar.
