Monsoon has hit different states of the country. Several states have been hit by severe floods. Maharashtra hit by heavy rains. A total of 16 people have died in the state so far due to heavy rains and various accidents. Meanwhile, a house was completely destroyed in a landslide in a village in Pune district on Monday. Three members of the same family were buried under the rubble.
Heavy rains also disrupted rail connectivity between Mumbai and Pune. 16 trains have already been canceled and nine others have been diverted. Schools and colleges have been closed in several districts as the situation is feared to worsen.
The Met office has issued an orange alert for Mumbai and a red alert for Pune. Landslides occurred in Thakurbari and Khandala-Manki Hill sections of the Karjat-Lonavla road on Monday morning. This has affected three lines of Central Railway – South, South and Central.
A total of 16 trains including Indrayani Express, Deccan Queen, Deccan Express, Intercity Express, Pragati Express and Dhule Express have been canceled due to the situation. Several long-distance trains have been diverted and their schedules revised. Passengers are advised to check the latest train information before travelling.
Meanwhile, traffic on both sides of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Old National Highway is blocked due to heavy rains. Landslides, waterlogging and collapse of concrete pillars at various places have further complicated the situation. The police and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation have urged people not to travel on this road unless it is an emergency.
Rescue operations are underway in the landslide-hit houses of Patan village in Pune district. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and local rescue teams have been carrying out rescue operations since morning. NDRF rescued 37 passengers from a bus stuck in water in Pune’s Ghowari area. According to the Met office forecast, more rain is likely in the next few days. They asked the administration to be vigilant and urged the general public to take extra precautions.