11 flights cancelled, train stuck due to heavy rains in Mumbai
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A pedestrians takes cover under an umbrella during heavy monsoon rain
Mumbai: Heavy rains in Mumbai affected air services leading to cancellation of 11 flights and diversion of nine incoming aircraft to nearby airports on Saturday, 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," the official said.
Of the seven departures, budget carrier IndiGo has cancelled five, while Air India and gulf carrier Emirates have cancelled one each.
IndiGo has also cancelled its three flights to Mumbai from various destinations for Saturday, the official said.
Besides, another eight incoming aircraft had to do a go-around before landing at the city airport, the official said.
Long-distance Mahalaxmi Express getting stuck near Badlapur in Thane district due to flooding of tracks.
Authorities called in the National Disaster Response Force and also sought help from the navy to rescue the 700 stranded passengers of the train, which left Mumbai for Kolhapur on Friday night but could not travel beyond Chamtoli where it is stranded since the early hours of Saturday, an official said.
"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," Resident Deputy Collector (Thane) Shivaji Patil said.
He said two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been rushed to the site to rescue the stranded passengers. "Helicopter services and naval assistance have also been sought," he added.
NDRF personnel are rescuing the passengers, a senior official said.
The Central Railway (CR) appealed to the passengers not to try getting out of the train on their own as it can be risky.
"Our request to passengers of Mahalaxmi Express, please don't get down from train. Train is a safe place. Staff, RPF and City Police are in train to look after your wellbeing. Please wait for advice from the NDRF and other disaster management authorities," said Sunil Udasi, the chief spokesperson of the Central Railway.
Maharashtra government spokesperson Brajesh Singh said eight NDRF boats are deployed.
Central Railway's senior spokesperson A K Jain said the NDRF teams will rescue the stranded passengers and they will be brought to Badlapur station.
"We have planned a special relief train to send the passengers to their destination. Food packets have been delivered to the passengers by the local police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF)," he added.