Mumbai rains: All 700 passengers on board Mahalaxmi Express evacuated safely

Incessant rainfall in Mumbai has once again brought life to a standstill in the city and its suburbs. There were massive waterlogging and traffic snarls in several parts of the city. The heavy downpour has also delayed flight operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that isolated areas in Maharashtra are likely to witness more heavy downpour in the coming days. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Raigad. Heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Thane, Palghar and Mumbai in the next three days," the IMD said.

A few places including Santacruz recorded over 100mm rainfall on Friday. Colaba, part of old Mumbai, received 75.2mm rainfall. Exactly 14 years ago, on July 26, 2005, Mumbai received 944 mm rainfall in a single day.

In the wake of heavy rainfall, the weather department has issued an "orange alert" for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra. The "orange alert" signifies that the authorities should get themselves prepared for necessary action.

All 700 passengers on board Mahalaxmi Express have been evacuated safely, confirmes Railways.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the Chief Secretary to personally monitor rescue operations at Wangani where people are still stranded in the Mahalaxmi Express. Four teams of NDRF have reached and the rescue operation is underway. The Maharashtra CM said that the situation is under control now. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the Chief Secretary to personally monitor rescue operations at Wangani where people are still stranded in the Mahalaxmi Express. Four teams of NDRF have reached and the rescue operation is underway. The Maharashtra CM said that the situation is under control now. 

At least 13 trains have been diverted, six short-terminated and two cancelled after heavy rains lashed Mumbai. Also, the overflowing Ulhas river has resulted in waterlogging at Ambernath, according to Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway Sunil Udasi.

A total of 500 people have been rescued successfully from the Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express, while rest of them will be evacuated soon. The Mahalaxmi Express was held up due to heavy rains and high water level on the railway track. Indian Navy, NDRF teams, railway authorities and the state administration are working together to carry out the rescue operation safely.

Maharashtra government requested the defence officials to arrange airlift of passengers of a train stuck on tracks near Mumbai since Friday night.

In this picture, the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams can be seen moving towards the stranded Mahalaxmi Express to rescue passengers on board.

As Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express with 700 passengers on board continues to remain stranded, eight flood rescue teams from the Navy including three diving teams have been mobilised with rescue material, inflatable boats and life jackets. A seeking helicopter has also been sent with divers equipped with auto inflatable craft for deployment in the area as advance assessment party. Western Naval Command is keeping a close watch on the situation and is in constant touch with the state administration to respond as required and provide necessary assistance in all flood-affected areas.

Due to heavy downpour, severe waterlogging was reported outside the domestic airport departure of the Mumbai airport. However, passengers managed to reach the airport after being stuck in waterlogged roads and traffic jams for hours on the Western Express Highway.

Since Saturday morning, Mahalaxmi Express has been halted between Badlapur and Vangani in Maharashtra. It has been reported that more than 2000 passengers are present onboard.

Central Railway authorities informed that Railway Protection Force and Mumbai police personnel have reached the spot where the train is held up. Also, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been deployed to rescue the passengers.

Due to heavy rain and low visibility, around 17 flights were diverted and many delayed by up to an hour in the financial capital. Also, 11 flights at Mumbai airport have been cancelled. Speaking to news agency ANI, a Mumbai airport official said, "Flights are delayed by 30 minutes on average, due to heavy rains since last two hours."