Mumbai rains: More downpour likely; IAF rescues 120 people from Thane
Mumbai, July 27: The Indian Air Force on Saturday airlifted over 120 people stuck in different parts of Thane district in Maharashtra due to flash floods triggered by heavy rains, an official said. While at least 70 people were stranded on the terrace of a petrol pump in Badlapur town, around 65 km from Mumbai, another 45 people were stuck at a private resort in Shahad, 46 kilometres away, the state disaster control room official said here. Heavy showers since Friday night have caused the Ulhas river in the district to overflow, with water gushing onto roads in Badlapur and inundating many areas.
Mumbai woke upto heavy rainfall on Saturday which has caused waterlogging in several parts of the city and suburbs. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in the city, which signifies that authorities should be alert and ready to prepare for a severe situation.
#WATCH Maharashtra: A 3-year-old monkey 'Rani' was rescued from a shelter for specially-abled animal, Panavtha Animal Orphanage, in Chamtoli Village in Thane district earlier today. The monkey was under treatment for tumour in her stomach, at the orphanage. pic.twitter.com/hdlbEDu0ku
— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2019
Badlapur: Rescued passengers from #MahalaxmiExpress leave for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) via a special train. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/3pJAUzgxwm
— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2019
#WATCH Maharashtra: IAF Mi-17 helicopter rescued 9 people, stranded atop a building in Kalyan, today. They were rescued and dropped at Mumbai airport. (Video Source: Indian Air Force) pic.twitter.com/8eKMLhHVWs
— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2019
Train with 700 passengers held up between Badlapur and Wangani
Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi express is held up between Badlapur and Wangani at KM 72 with around 700 passengers, said the DRM Central Railways.
Railway Protection Force and City police have reached the site where Mahalaxmi Express is held up. Biscuits and water are being distributed to the stranded passengers. NDRF team has reached the spot.
As relief work is underway, "All 700 passengers of Mahalaxmi express have been rescued.
Initial media reports, however, said around 2,000 passengers were stranded.
Government of Maharashtra has requested Air Force, NDRF, Navy and Military to perform necessary rescue operations of the stranded passengers of Mahalaxmi Express including Airlift of passengers.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts, while extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Palghar district," an IMD official told.So far there have been 11 cancellations, 8 go around and 9 diversions at the Mumbai airport. The PRO of the airport has announced that operations have been resumed.
Intermittent rain with heavy to very heavy downpour expected in Mumbai and sub urban areas, said the IMD forecast at 8 am today. The high tide is expected at 8 am of 3.36 meters, while the low tide will be around 1:41 pm of 2.36 meters, The road and railway traffic are expected to be normal according to IMD forecast.
Indian Railways alerts passengers
All passengers are being advised to not alight the train or creat panic.
The Central Railways also tweeted, "Our request to passengers of Mahalaxmi Express, please don't get down from the train. Train is a safe place. Staff, RPF and City Police is on the train to look after your well being. Please wait for advice from NDRF and other disaster management authorities."
Flight operations at Mumbai Airport affected due to heavy rains, 17 flights diverted
Mumbai Police asks people not to go to sea
Mumbai Police requested people not to venture in waterlogged areas and to maintain distance from the sea.
"City is expecting intermittent heavy showers all through the night. We request commuters to not venture in water-logged areas and also request you all to maintain distance from the sea. Please tweet to us or call on 100 in any emergency/need of help," said Mumbai Police.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls is also expected at isolated places over Konkan, Goa, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, Madhya Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Meghalaya, Gujarat region and Jharkhand. Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.