Torrential rain continued to batter Mumbai and large parts of Maharashtra on Monday, triggering landslides that brought train services on the crucial Mumbai-Pune rail corridor to a standstill and forcing widespread cancellations and diversions.
The disruptions come as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai and a red for Pune.
At around 3.05 am, a landslide occurred near Thakurwadi in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section, followed by another between Khandala and Monkey Hill, according to Central Railway officials.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, said all three railway tracks in the challenging Bhor Ghat stretch—the Up line towards Mumbai, the Down line towards Pune and the Middle line—were affected by the landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.
“Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the South East Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, a landslide occurred between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin on the Up Main Line of Mumbai Division,” Nila said.
The disruption forced Central Railway to cancel, divert and regulate several long-distance services.
Among the cancelled trains were the CSMT-Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express.
Additional services, including the Pune-CSMT Sinhagad Express, were also cancelled, while several long-distance trains were short-terminated, short-originated, diverted or rescheduled.
Railway authorities said restoration work was underway and advised passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journeys.
Amid forecasts of more heavy rainfall, authorities declared a holiday on Monday for all government, private and civic-run schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar districts.
The IMD has also warned of gusty winds accompanying the heavy showers.
– Ends
(With PTI inputs)
