New Delhi l Jagran News Desk: Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Friday causing waterlogging in several parts of the city. Flight, road and train services were affected as the downpour continued overnight.
Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express, with 2000 passengers on board, was stranded as torrential rainfall continued to batter Mumbai on Saturday. The train is held up between Vangani and Badlapur, which is 100 kilometres away from Mumbai, since 3 AM today, according to a passenger on board.
NDRF reached the site and distributed biscuits and water to the stranded passengers. Authorities have asked them not to get down from the train.
Air traffic was also disrupted for a couple of hours in Mumbai, as seven flights were cancelled and around eight to nine were diverted. Around 8:15 am, Mumbai International Airport PRO had announced that flight operations returned to normal.
Rainfall also led to traffic snarls and water-logging at several major train junctions.
Vehicles were seen wading through the waterlogged streets of Sion, Chembur, Gandhi Market at snail's pace due to heavy traffic jam.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai will continue to receive heavy rains till July 29 with the minimum and maximum temperatures hovering around 24 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius, respectively.
Heavy rain is likely to continue in Mumbai over the weekend, weather office predicted on Friday. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Raigad. Heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places in districts of Thane, Palghar and Mumbai in the next three days," the weather department said.
Overflowing of Valdhuni and Ulhas river created panic among locals residing in the area, water started to enter their homes. Local Politicians and social organizations have offered them temporary shelter, as per reports.
Locals in Sion and Chembur and Santacruz also struggled as waterlogging brought them to a standstill. The city has been receiving rainfall since Friday which reminded some of the heavy floods in 2005.
Earlier, 17 flights were diverted on Friday due to bad weather. Commuters faced road jams in several parts of the city while local train services were suspended between Kalyan-Kajrat/Khopoli in the central line.
An orange alert has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. It is a signal for authorities to gear up for a situation that may turn severe.