Mahalaxmi Express stranded near Mumbai due to flooded tracks: 600 passengers rescued

Torrential rains in Mumbai’s suburban areas continued to cause havoc with the Mumbai-Kolhapur bound Mahalaxmi Express, with around 700 passengers on board, stuck between Badlapur and Vangani since Saturday morning. 

In a bid to rescue the passengers, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed. The Railway Protection Force and the city police have reached the spot where Mahalaxmi Express is held up. 

Also, 8 flood rescue teams from Navy including 3 diving teams mobilised with rescue material, inflatable boats and life jackets. A Seaking Helicopter has also reached with divers for deployment in the area as advance assessment party. 

#UPDATE | #MahalaxmiExpress rescue operation: According to CPRO, Central Railway, total 700 passengers are on-board the train. NDRF team and Navy chopper are conducting rescue operation, reports ANI.

📸: ANI

Follow Latest news:https://t.co/tB0e7gejsA pic.twitter.com/wFTAqERLkD

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 27, 2019

#MahalaxmiExpress rescue operation: 8 flood rescue teams from Navy including 3 diving teams mobilised with rescue material, inflatable boats & life jackets. A Seaking Helicopter also sent with divers for deployment in the area as advance assessment party. https://t.co/tB0e7gejsA pic.twitter.com/2UGKcaFWv8

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 27, 2019

"Chief Secretary personally looking into it," Brijesh Singh, Inspector General, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, told Zee News.

According to the initial media reports, water and biscuits were being provided to the passengers. 

#WATCH Maharashtra: Aerials shots of Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation. More than 500 passengers have been rescued so far. pic.twitter.com/nLlsfebPAr

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2019

An official from Maharashtra government said that 220 passengers have been rescued by the joint effort of various agencies deployed on the spot. "Rest of the passengers will be rescued soon," the official added.  

A passenger shot the video that showed the stuck near the overflowing river with the water completely covering the railway tracks and almost reaching the train's floor.

Take a look:

#WATCH Maharashtra: Mahalaxmi Express held up between Badlapur and Wangani with around 2000 passengers. Railway Protection Force & City police have reached the site where the train is held up. NDRF team to reach the spot soon. pic.twitter.com/0fkTUm6ps9

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2019

Due to the heavy rainfall and flood like situation, suburban rail services have been running at all sections except Kalyan-Karjat/Khopoli due to heavy rainfall leading to overflowing of Ulhas River between Ambarnath-Badlapur-Vangani.

It is to be noted that the IMD on Friday predicted isolated areas in Maharashtra are likely to witness more heavy downpour in the coming days.

In a statement, IMD said, "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 southwest monsoon would remain active over central and adjoining south peninsular India in the coming days,” it added.

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