Commuters bear brunt of heavy rains in Mumbai, stranded

Mumbai, June 19: Incessant rains lashing Mumbai since last night disrupted normal life resulting in suspension of train services on the busy Central, Harbour and Western lines due to water-logging of tracks and in low-lying areas.

Thousands of commuters, bound for offices and other work places, were caught unaware at suburban stations around the city as railways announced suspension of services.

While Central line connects Mumbai CST to far-flung areas like Kasara, Badlapur, Ambernath etc., Harbour Line connects CST to Panvel. Western line starts from Churchgate and is recently extended up to Dahanu.

In total, around 70-80 lakh people travel daily by local trains across all three lines, which are called as lifeline of the city. Railway sources said it is difficult to say by when the services would be resumed. The city has been battered by heavy rains since Thursday night.

Meanwhile, train services on the Western line were also cancelled. The railways have advised commuters to avoid travel in view of the situation unless it is very urgent.

"Suburban services are affected due to heavy rains and water-logging in several areas in Mumbai Central and Matunga. It is advised to all that commuters may travel only in case of emergency," Western Railway stated in a release.

PTI