Mumbai rains: All passengers aboard Mahalaxmi express rescued

17:14 July 27

Amit Shah praises rescue teams

New Delhi:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised the efforts of the NDRF, the three services and other agencies in rescuing passengers of a train stranded in Maharashtra's Thane for 17 hours due to flooding of tracks after heavy rains.          

The passengers of the Kolhapur-bound Mahalaxmi Express were trapped at Badlapur, 72 km from Mumbai. The home minister also said the central government is closely monitoring the entire operation.

"Kudos to the rescue teams for their exemplary effort," he said. 

Central Railways officials said all 1,050 passengers, including nine pregnant women, were safe. 

15:12 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express rescue Ops: All passengers rescued

All the passengers stranded on board the Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express have been evacuated safely, Central Railways said. 

15:10 July 27

Combined efforts to save stranded passengers

Over 600 passengers on Mahalaxmi Express have been safely rescued due to combined efforts of NDRF, Indian Navy, Army and Air Force, says Ministry of Home Affairs. 

14:01 July 27

Aerial survey of the affected region

Visuals from Mi 17 Helicopter with Commanding Officer of 25 AD Kalina aboard as it takes an aerial survey of the area assistance to stranded passengers.

13:46 July 27

Preganant woman goes into labour in stalled Mumbai team

Mumbai: A nine-month pregnant woman went into labour in the stranded Mahalaxmi Express train which has been stuck in floodwaters at Vangani for around 18 hours, here on Saturday.

Her panicky relatives sent out urgent appeals from the D1 bogey seeking help to rush her to a hospital.

The woman, identified as Reshma Kamble, was proceeding from Mumbai to Kolhapur for the delivery of her child but the train was stranded in Thane since Friday evening.

Some unconfirmed reports said that there are at least another nine women on board in different stages of pregnancy who are in distress and awaiting help.

The Indian Army, Indian Air Forces, Indian Navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have launched one of the biggest operations to rescue an estimated 1,500 passengers stranded on the train with around 3-5 feet water on all sides.

Guardian Minister of Thane Eknath Gaikwad rushed to Badlapur to take stock of the rescue operations and said besides the defence and NDRF, all surrounding towns, cities and villages have also sent in their rescue teams to help the passengers.

13:35 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express rescue Ops: Evacuated passengers being taken to Badalpur

Mahalaxmi Express rescue Ops: Evacuated passengers being taken to Badalpur

The passengers evacuated and rescued from Mahalaxmi Express are being brought to Badalpur. Nearly 500 people have been rescued so far.

13:15 July 27

Heavy rains lash Nashik; normal life thrown out of gear

file picture

Incessant rains continued to lash Nashik city of Maharashtra and parts of the district for the third consecutive day on Saturday, inundating low-lying areas and
affecting normal life to some extent.

The city and other parts of the district have been experiencing intermittent showers since Thursday.

As per the weather department, the district will continue to get rainfall in the next 24 hours.

13:11 July 27

Maha CM instructs Chief Secy to monitor Mahalaxmi Express rescue ops

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructs the Chief Secretary to personally monitor rescue operations at Wangani where people are stranded in the Mahalaxmi Express. Four teams of NDRF have reached and they are evacuating passengers with the help of eight boats.

12:47 July 27

NDRF rescues 220 passengers from Mahalaxmi express

 A team of NDRF rescued nearly 200 passengers aboard the Mahalaxmi Express near Badlapur in Maharashtra. Rescue operation is currently underway.

12:09 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation

Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation

Authorities sought help from the navy to rescue the 700 stranded passengers of the train
         
"Due to a raging Ulhas river, the Mahalaxmi Express train got stuck at Chamtoli within the limits of Badlapur due to flooded tracks. The passengers were safe, but the only concern was a rise in water level on the tracks," Resident Deputy Collector (Thane) Shivaji Patil said.
         
He said two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been rushed to the site to rescue the stranded passengers. "Helicopter services and naval assistance have also been sought," he added.
         
NDRF personnel are rescuing the passengers, a senior official said.

11:42 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation: 700 passengers are on-board the train

About 700 passengers of the Mahalaxmi Express are stranded as the train is stuck near Badlapur in adjoining Thane district due to heavy rains. 

10:45 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express held up; NDRF reaches site

NDRF personnel carrying boats to rescue passengers stranded aboard Mahalaxmi Express

A team of National Disaster Response Force arrives at the location where Mahalaxmi Express is held up between Badlapur and Wangani with around 2,000 passengers aboard.

10:43 July 27

Boats sent to rescue stranded passengers aboard Mahalaxmi Express

Brijesh Singh, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Maharashtra has said that three rescue boats have reached the spot where Mahalaxmi Express is held up between Badlapur and Wangani with around 2000 passengers.

10:39 July 27

Visuals from Mahalaxmi Express

Visuals from Mahalaxmi Express, which has been held up between Badlapur and Wangani with around 2,000 passengers aboard, as the railway tracks remain submerged in flood water.

10:02 July 27

Mumbai suburbs receive 150-180 mm rainfall in past 24 hours

IMD says Mumbai suburbs have received 150-180 mm rainfall in past 24 hours

Mumbai suburbs have received 150-180 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, said India Meteorological Department.

09:57 July 27

Mahalaxmi Express held up: RPF, local police reach site

Railway Protection Force and local police have reached the site where Mahalaxmi Express is held up. Eatables and water is being distributed to the stranded passengers.

09:53 July 27

11 flights cancelled, 9 diverted from Mumbai Airport

So far, there have been 11 cancellations, eight go-around's and nine diversions of flights bound to Mumbai airport.

09:45 July 27

Waterlogging in Sion area of Mumbai

Water-logging at Road No. 6 in Sion, following heavy rainfall overnight.

Heavy rainfall on Friday night cause waterlogging in Sion, Mumbai.

09:35 July 27

Kalyan water-logged as Waldhuni river overflows

Kalyan water-logged as Waldhuni river overflows

Several low-lying areas of Kalyan in Thane district of Maharashtra, which is a part of Mumbai Metropolitan Region, have been water-logged after Waldhuni river started overflowing following heavy rains since Friday evening.

09:07 July 27

Mumbai rains: All passengers aboard Mahalaxmi express rescued

Mahalaxmi Express rescue Ops: Evacuated passengers being taken to Badalpur

Mumbai: Following incessant rains, Mahalaxmi Express, carrying 700 passengers has been held up between Badlapur and Wangani since Saturday morning in Mumbai. 

National Disaster Response Force team has moved to the spot, said DRM Central Railways.

Meanwhile, seven trains have been cancelled on Saturday and nine others have been diverted.

The latest forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted intermittent rain with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in the city and the suburbs.

The heavy downpour has caused water-logging and consequential traffic snarls in several parts of Mumbai and has also led to flight delays.