Maharashtra landslide leaves behind 22 orphans | India News

NAVI MUMBAI: The devastating landslide at Maharashtra’s Irshalwadi in the Sahyadri range has wiped out entire families, the sole survivor in many cases being a child studying in a government residential school elsewhere.

In all, 22 residents have been orphaned by the tragedy, of which 18 are minors, some as young as three, and four adults ranging in age from 18 to 20. Of them, 11 are students of ashram shalas (boarding schools) in Panvel, Karjat, Khalapur run mostly by the Maharashtra government’s tribal department. One is yet to start schooling.
Mental health experts say most of them are in a fragile state and need special attention. Shaken by the sudden tragedy, they are emotionally vulnerable and may be prone to acute depression.

Some of them are in camps set up to provide shelter to the survivors, others have gone to live with their relatives. The Dr Shrikant Shinde Foundation from Thane district has offered to accept guardianship of these children, said Neelam Gorhe, deputy chairperson of the state legislative council, who paid a visit to inquire about their wellbeing.
Psychiatrist Dr Amol Bhusare who had counseled survivors of the July 2021 landslide in Mahad, including orphaned children, said, “These children have to undergo grief counselling, they have to be given a hearing as part of psychological first aid. There are chances of post-traumatic stress disorders like night terror, less sleep, feelings of loneliness.”
He said the children who returned from boarding schools and found their families no longer existed are especially psychologically weak and homesick. “They are in the high-risk category,” he said. “Hence they should be counselled for a year at least.”
Another psychiatrist, Dr Varun Ghildiyal, said, “Their psychological health depends upon forging relationships; the stages they go through like anger, denial, depression, acceptance. Child psychiatrists should visit them every week so that they can better express their emotions.”
Regarding ways to overcome sorrow, Dr Ghildiyal added, “Some manage to overcome their issues and move ahead while some lack coping mechanisms, leading to addiction and other wrong habits. Their thoughts need to be channelized. In some countries, children from lower socio-economic strata are exposed to sport as they do not show interest in studies.”
Khalapur tehsildar Ayub Tamboli said the administration would review steps being taken for their welfare.