Incessant rains continue to lash several parts of Maharashtra

Mumbai, Aug 11 (UNI) The rain fury continued unabated for the third consecutive day today in Maharashtra, badly affecting rail and road traffic between Pune and Mumbai.

The incessant rains had its impact on traffic on the busy Mumbai-Pune Expressway as landslides had halted the rail traffic between Mumbai and Pune. Hundreds of vehicles were lined up and traffic moved at a snail's pace on the Expressway.

In Pune, about 2,000 people, residing in low-lying areas and near river banks were shifted to safer places Train services between the two cities continued to be disrupted with the Central Railway cancelling nine services, six up and three down. As many as three long distance trains were cancelled.

In Mumbai, local suburban services, however, were normal.

The cancelled trains between Pune-Mumbai include Indrayani express, Sinhagad Express, Deccan Express, Pragati Express, Intercity and Deccan queen, causing inconvenience to a number of office commuters from Pune.

A report from Kolhapur said Panchganga river was flowing above the danger mark following heavy rains lashing the region for the last 15 days. Vehicular traffic on 40 routes, including Kolhapur-Ratnagiri and Kolhapur-Konkan region was badly affected.

In Nasik, the district administration has cautioned people living in low-lying areas to move to safer dwellings as more water was being released from dams, which are overflowing.

The Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent rainfall with gusty winds in Mumbai city and suburbs in the next 24 hours.

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