At least five people were killed and many were feared buried after a landslide hit a mountain village in Indias western state of Maharashtra.

According to Indian media, the landslide occurred Wednesday night in the mountain hamlet of Irshalwadi.

“A total of 48 families lived there. Around 75 people have been evacuated and five people have died so far,” the states deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Twitter.

Indian authorities are still carrying out search and rescue operations despite the difficult terrain to reach the remote village, which caused the death of a member of the rescuers.

The state of Maharashtra has been hit by torrential rains for the past two days.

Landslides and floods often occur in India during the monsoon season between June and September, which is a lifeline for farmers but may cause deaths and property damage.

Source: Qatar News Agency