Pune: The search for two workers trapped in the collapsed villa in Lavasa (Mulshi) continues as rescue operations face numerous obstacles.

The missing workers have been identified as Rahul Ghore (42) and Manoj Chudasama (63), both residents of Dahisar, Mumbai. They had come to Lavasa on Thursday (July 25), to carry out electrical work in a villa.

The villa, along with the hillside, collapsed on Thursday, causing both workers to go missing. It is believed they are trapped under the collapsed villa and soil.

Efforts to remove the debris and soil from the landslide have been ongoing since yesterday, using JCB and other equipment. However, the large amount of soil and debris has made it difficult for the rescuers, leading to exhaustion among the workers.

Additionally, the heavy rain in the area continues to complicate the removal of soil, with rescuers getting stuck in the mud.

There are only two main accessible routes to Lavasa: one via Panshet through Varasgaon-Adamala and Lavasa, and the other via Pirangut-Mutha-Temghar.

Currently, the road at Temghar is closed due to landslides, and the road via Panshet was washed away in yesterday's rain at Padalghar. The JCB is insufficient for removing the debris, and an excavator is urgently needed.

However, with both roads closed, it is impossible to bring in an excavator, severely hindering the rescue operation. This natural disaster has posed a significant challenge for the administration.

Sub-divisional officer Surendra Navle Patil said that the ongoing rain in Lavasa is obstructing the search operations and that an excavator is needed at the site.

With both roads to Lavasa currently closed, they plan to resume search operations using an alternative route to bring in the excavator tomorrow.