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Incessant rain chokes Mumbai; passengers on Mahalaxmi Express stranded

Incessant rain chokes Mumbai; passengers on Mahalaxmi Express stranded

Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi express is held up between Badlapur and Wangani with around 2000 passengers on board.
Mumbaikars woke up to an intense spell of rain on Saturday morning. Severe waterlogging is being reported from several areas. Train and flight services were hit. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted “heavy to very heavy rainfall” across the city and its suburbs. Thane and Palghar too will receive heavy showers. The southwest monsoon would remain active over central and adjoining south peninsular India in the coming days.
Stay tuned for live updates on Mumbai rains:
Western Naval Command deploys Teams to render Assistance in Flood affected Areas”
“Following the incessant rains over the last 24 hours in Mumbai and adjoining areas, a request was received from Central Railways early morning today, 27 Jul 19, for evacuation of passengers from Mahalaxmi Exp stranded near Badlapur due to waters on tracks from Ulhas River. Eight flood rescue teams from the Navy including three Diving team have been mobilised with rescue material, Inflatable boats and life jackets. Meanwhile a Seaking Helicopter has also been scrambled 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 State Administration to respond as required and provide necessary assistance in flood affected areas.” it said in a statement.
Trains cancelled:
1. Train No. 17416 Kolhapur-Tirupati Express commencing journey on 27.07.2019 is cancelled since T.no.17411 running late due to heavy rainfall and water logging between Vangani and Badlapur, and land sliding in ghat section over Central Railway.
2. Train No. 17415, Tirupati-Kolhapur Express commencing journey on 28.07.2019 will remain cancelled for want of rake.
Maharashtra government seeks IAF, NDRF, Navy and Military’s help to rescue passengers in Mahalaxmi Express
“Near about 700 people are stranded in 17412 – Mahalakshmi Express near Vangani Village, Badlapur, Tal. Jawhar, Dist. Thane. I request you to do the necessary rescue operation including Air lift of Passengers of the location 19.1272060, 73.2621760. Contact Person Shri. Rajmh Narvekar, DM Thane (8108533334),” wrote Abhay Yawalkar. Director, Disaster Management Unit.
Mahalaxmi Express Update: A team of railway officials, RPF and medicos headed by Additional Divisional Railway Manager NP Singh is available at Badlapur station. His phone number is 8828119001.
“A relief train for movement of passenger is also available at Badlapur. Medical assistance and refreshment has been arranged. Further arrangement for movement of passenger upto Kolhapur being ensured”, informed authorities.
Authorities also kept assuring the stranded personnel onboard.
Mahalaxmi Express Update: Three boats have reached the site where the train is struck. “Chief Secretary personally looking into it,” said Brijesh Singh, Inspector General, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations
A team of NDRF personnel along with teams of Indian Navy navy are on the move to rescue of passengers stranded in Mahalakshmi express in Wangni area.
An IAF chopper has been pressed into action to support rescue efforts.
Eight NDRF boats – six inflated and two more currently being inflated – with rescue personnel on it are just a few hundred metres away from site and will shortly reach the passengers.
Trains Update: 11301 Mumbai-KSR Bengaluru Udyan Express JCO 27.7.2019 will leave from Solapur (instead of Daund as earlier announced).
Due to heavy rainfall, compounded with overflowing Ulhas river resulting in water logging at Vangani, 17416 Kolhapur-Tirupati Express JCO 27.7.2019 is cancelled as pairing rake running late. Similarly, 17415 Tirupati-Kolhapur Express JCO 28.7.2019 is cancelled for want of rake
Suburban services in all sections were running normally except Kalyan-Karjat/Khopoli due to heavy rainfall leading to overflowing of Ulhas river between Ambarnath-Badlapur-Vangani.
Water level receding in Mumbai. Rains have stopped in Mumbai over the last two hours. However, the situation on the outskirts of Mumbai continues to be bad.
RPF and City police have reached the site where Mahalaxmi Express is held up. They are distributing biscuits and water to the stranded passengers. NDRF team will be reaching the site shortly to evacuate the passengers.
Central railway to passengers stranded in Mahalaxmi Express:
“Our request to passengers of Mahalaxmi Express, please don’t get down from train. Train is the safe place. Staff, RPF and City Police is in train to look after your well being. Please wait for advice from NDRF and other disaster management authorities.”
Five battalions of NDRF team has deployed.
1. Two teams left for Railway Recruitment Control Board, Mumbai
2. One team left for for Badlapur to rescue passenger stuck in Mahalaxmi Express.
3. One team left for Tamba and Raite villages in Kalyan to rescue trapped villagers.
4. One team left from Sudumbare Unit headquarters for search operations following the drowning incident in Indrayani river at Indori, Maval.
5. NDRF’s Famex team has left from Chiplun Ratnagiri to Sindhudurg for search ops in view of drowning incident
Passengers stranded in Mahalaxmi Express to be airlifted to safety. However, rescue operations have been hampered due to incessant rains. Passengers can only be airlifted after the weather clears.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall in the suburbs in last 24 hours. At 7 am, Saturday, 150-180 mm rainfall was recorded in suburbs, while city-side reported around 50 – 100 mm. Santacruz received 192 mm rainfall while Colaba received 73 mm rain. Heavy showers will continue throughout the day.
Mumbai local trains update: Western Railway running normal with a delay of about five minutes. Central Railway trains running with 10-minutes delay. However, Kalyan-Karjat/Khopoli section trains have been cancelled due to heavy rainfall, leading to overflowing of Ulhas river between Ambarnath-Badlapur-Vangani.
A high tide, with waves 3.33 meters-high, hit Mumbai at 7.49 am on Saturday.
As per the weather information by IMD at 5.45 am, heavy rainfall is likely to occur in next few hours . People should avoid venturing around the sea and not open manholes, said the BMC.
Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi express is held up between Badlapur and Wangani at KM 72 with around 2000 passengers, said the DRM Central Railways. Rescue team has reached spot, it added. Badlapur is about 100 km from Mumbai.
Mumbai Airport: 11 flights have been cancelled due to inclement weather. These include seven departures and four arrivals. Eight flights carried out go-arounds, while nine have been diverted.
Incessant downpour reported from south Mumbai region. Heavy rains lashed Dadar, Lower Parel, Andheri, Bandra and King Circus from 5 am on Saturday. Further rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas.
“Night-long operation to rescue passengers stranded in local trains along Ambernath-Badlpur after services stopped due to heavy rain fall compounded with overflowing of Ulhas river resulting in water logging”, tweeted Central Railways.
Water level increasing at Vangani. Central Railways cancels services between Badlapur and Karjat/Khopoli. “Though the water has receded at Ambernath, the water level is increasing fast at Vangani. Considering the safety of commuters, services can not be run between Badlapur and Karjat/Khopoli. Please bear with us,” it tweeted.
“Reviewed heavy rainfall situation at all parts of state,considering local rainfall situation concerned Headmaster /principal can take decision for declaring holiday to schools at their level for Saturday 27/7/2019 !” tweeted Maharashtra School Education Minister Ashish Shelar.
Several trains cancelled or short-terminated, tweeted Central Railways:
“As per IMD forecast received at 2 am, intermittent rain with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places expected in the city and suburbs #MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates #MCGMUpdates,” said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Waterlogging reported from Gandhi Market area, Sion after rainfall in the region.
Prediction for next 48 hours: “A few spells of rain or shower with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places in city and suburbs. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 31 Celcius degrees and 24 degrees Celcius respectively,” said the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai.
“Due to the strengthening of monsoon currents and the formation of low pressure area over North West Bay of Bengal, the rainfall intensity is very likely to increase over North Konkan during next 48 hours,” said the Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai.

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