A landslide in India's western Maharastra state has trapped up to 200 people and reportedly killed at least five following heavy monsoon rains.

Heavy machinery has been mobilised to try to rescue those feared trapped in Malin village, while about 30 ambulances have been sent to the scene, local government official Saurav Rao told the Press Trust of India news agency.

"The exact number of causalities is not known as we are moving slowly to ensure that those trapped are removed safely," Rao said.

More rain is expected over the next few hours, which will make resuce efforts difficult and increase the chances of more landslides.

A rescue official said 50 houses were damaged.

Malin village, in Pune district, is near a pilgrimage temple popular with tourists.

Heavy rains have been falling for days in Maharashtra as a result of the annual monsoon.

Almost 6,000 people are presumed to have died during flash floods and landslides started by last year's monsoon rains in the northern India state of Uttarakhand.

(Al Jazeera)