Ratnagiri, July 4: At least 16 bodies have been recovered on Thursday after the Tiware dam in Ratnagiri district breached due to heavy rainfall causing a flood-like situation in seven downstream villages. S Gawade, NDRF was quoted by ANI saying that 16 bodies have been recovered so fa while 10 people are still missing. "We received info that body of a woman has been found 35 km away from the dam in Vashishti river. It's being ascertained if her death was in connection with this incident", Gawade informed.

Reports inform that a small dam burst near Bhendewadi hamlet in Ratnagiri district, following a torrential downpour on Tuesday. As soon as the incident was reported, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and volunteers were rushed to the spot.

The heavy flow of water from the dam inundated at least seven villages downstream in its path, besides a dozen homes in Bhendewadi with around 24 people living in 11 huts which were washed away. According to details by a district official, the Tiware dam in Ratnagiri district had developed a breach late Tuesday night night after heavy rainfall in the area.

Reports inform that the incident happened around 9.30 PM on July 2,  when the Tiware Dam breached due to a heavy downpour and gushed millions of litres of water, resulting in a flood-like situation. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level probe into the incident. Meanwhile, state Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan visited the tragedy site assured that the homes of the surviving villagers would be rebuilt and the dam repaired on priority.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2019 03:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).