23 feared dead after breach in Maharashtra dam

NEW DELHI: Twenty-three persons are feared dead as the Tiware dam in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra?s Konkan region breached on Wednesday following incessant rains, officials said.nnBodies of 11 persons have been recovered so far, Additional Superintendent of Police, Ratnagiri, Vishal Gaikwad said.nnThe Tiware dam, was built 14 years ago in Chiplun taluk, with a capacity of 20 lakh cubic metres. The breach occurred late on Tuesday night, a district official said, leading to flooding in seven villages downstream; 12 houses were swept away.nnSearch and rescue operations have been launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State police. A police officer said rescue operations were hampered initially due to darkness and sudden influx of water.nnRelatives of the victims said they had asked the district administration to repair the dam as they had spotted cracks in the structure in November last year.nnThere was an issue over the jurisdiction of which tehsil the Tiware dam falls in, with both Chiplun and Dapoli tehsil offices ignoring the villagers? petition, said a family member of one of the dead.nn?It is only because of their negligence that we have seen this day,? he said. ?My parents, wife and infant are missing,? he added. ?My brother, who had gone to bring his vehicle did not return,? he said.nnChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the incident.nn?The reason for the breach will be probed and action would be taken against the guilty expeditiously,? the Chief Minister said.nnSource: Press Trust of India