Nearly two dozen huts were buried in the landslide, which hit the Saki Naka area in Andheri.

Fire services were rushed to the scene and rescue workers searched for people believed to be trapped under the debris of their homes.

Mumbai has recorded heavy rains over the past few days.

The state’s interior minister supervised relief operations on Thursday night.

[Nasim Khan, Maharashtra Interior Minister]:
"At around 11:30 pm (1800 GMT), due to heavy rain the hillock gave way, submerging around six houses under it. Many people were taken out from the debris and were admitted to the Rajawadi hospital and many are still believed to be under the debris. Rescue operation is going on a large scale."

Officials say the rescue operations will continue for quite some time.

[Vishwas Patil, Collector, Mumbai Suburban District]
"One person has died in this unfortunate incident and eight to nine people have been injured. The rescue operation is still on."

The Maharashtra government says it’ll give the families of the dead about $2,200 and anywhere from $500 to $1000 for the injured.

More than half of Mumbai's 18 million residents live on the streets or in flimsy shacks in slums that often collapse during the monsoon.