Passengers Saved From Stranded Mahalaxmi Express Leave For Mumbai

The Kolhapur-Mumbai Mahalaxmi Express was stranded because of floods near Mumbai, on Friday night.

All passengers on board the stranded Mahalaxmi Express have been rescued.

(Photo: CMO Maharashtra)

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

All the passengers on board the Mahalaxmi Express, which was halted by floodwaters near Maharashtra’s Badlapur, have been rescued, the Central Railways’ Chief Public Relations Officer said on Saturday, 27 July.

The passengers have left for Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus via a special train from Badlapur.

The Kolhapur-Mumbai Mahalaxmi Express carrying about 700 people was stranded late evening on Friday, 26 July, near Badlapur in Maharashtra’s Thane district due to flooding of tracks.

Four-to-five-foot-high flood water was reported near the Wangani station, where the train was stuck.

Heavy rains have been lashing Mumbai and its adjoining areas, leading to flooding in several parts. The downpour also led to traffic snarls and cancellation of several flights.

For all the live updates on Mumbai rains, click here.

CM Devendra Fadnavis: Situation Under Control

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, had earlier in the day, said that seven Indian Navy teams, two helicopters from the Air Force, and two columns of the military were deployed for the rescue effort.

However, the helicopters of the Navy & Air Force were forced to return to their base after an aerial survey, because of the prevailing weather conditions.

The helicopters had been requested by the Maharashtra government, to airlift passengers. Authorities also called in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and sought help from the Indian Navy.

The Mahalaxmi Express left Mumbai for Kolhapur on Friday night, but could not go beyond Chamtoli.

Rescued passengers were taken to nearby Badlapur.(Photo: The Quint)

“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.”

Shivaji Patil, Resident Deputy Collector (Thane)

Four NDRF teams along with nine boats were deployed for the rescue, a Maharashtra home ministry official said.

An NDRF team comprises about 45 rescuers.

These teams were equipped with flood relief items and specialist divers, the official said.

NDRF, Navy, Army, IAF and RPF Co-ordinate Rescue

The Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, NDRF and RPF came together for the rescue effort on 27 July 2019.(Photo: The Quint)

Earlier on Saturday, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel along with city police reached the site where Mahalaxmi Express is held up. According to the Central Railway’s Twitter handle, they distributed biscuits and water to the stranded passengers.

The Central Railways authority had also appealed to passengers to avoid getting out of the train on their own as it could be risky.

NDRF teams from Pune and Mumbai with eight boats were deployed to rescue the passengers on the train.

“We have planned a special relief train to send the passengers to their destination,” he added.

Flights and Trains Diverted, Cancelled

The rains have affected flight and train routes in the area.

Trains in the area were diverted because of heavy flooding in the Ambernath area, the Central Railways said.(Photo: The Quint)

“13 trains have been diverted, 6 short-terminated and 2 cancelled due to heavy rainfall and overflowing Ulhas river resulting in water logging at Ambernath.”

Sunil Udasi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Mumbai Division Central Railways

Meanwhile, heavy rains in Mumbai affected air services leading to cancellation of 11 flights and diversion of nine incoming aircraft to nearby airports, an official said.

The operations at the city airport, however, are now normal, the official said.

The cancelled flights include seven departures and four arrivals.

“As many as 11 flights of various airlines are cancelled for today. These include seven departures and four arrivals. In addition to this, nine flights which were scheduled to arrive in Mumbai have been diverted to other nearby airports due to rains and other issues,”

Official statement

Of the seven departures, budget carrier IndiGo has cancelled five, while Air India and gulf carrier Emirates have cancelled one each, PTI reported.

IndiGo has also cancelled its three flights to Mumbai from various destinations for Saturday, the official said.

Passengers, Concerned Citizens Tweet for Help

A number of people, passengers and friends of passengers on board the train took to Twitter, asking for help.