Ratnagiri, July 10: As many as 20 bodies have been recovered while 3 are still missing after the Tiware dam breached following incessant rains in Ratnagiri on July 2. The dam breach caused a flood-like situation in seven downstream villages, with as many as 12 houses being swept away. The search operation at Tiware Dam in Ratnagiri, by NDRF, enters eighth day on Wednesday.  While several more people are believed to be feared dead in the incident, the search operation launched by the teams of police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is still on. Tiware Dam Breach in Ratnagiri: Crabs Caused Leakage in Dam, Says Minister.

The Tiware dam in Chiplun taluka of Ratnagiri district breached late on the night of July 2. After the dam breach was reported, millions of litres of water gushed out and resulted in a floodlike situation. Reports inform that the incident inundating 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. Tiware Dam Breach: NCP Demands FIR Against Crabs After Water Minister Tanaji Sawant Blames Crustaceans For ‘Natural Calamity’.

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According to a report by IANS, the villages downstream include Daadar, Akle, Riktoli, Ovali, Kalkavne, and Nandivase, with an estimated total population of around 3,000 in a hilly region, nearly 90 kms from the district headquarters. Maharashtra minister Tanaji Sawant has attributed the breach in Tiware dam in Ratnagiri district to the weakening of wall by crabs. "The wall was weakened by a large number crabs and after it was pointed out to the government officials, some remedial measures were taken up," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 11:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).