Mumbai, July 27: At least 2000 passengers of Mahalaxmi Express have been stranded between Badlapur and Vangani on the Central Line. According to a tweet by ANI, the DRM of Central Railways informed that the Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express halted as tracks have been submerged following incessant rainfall in the city for the last 24 hours. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and city police teams were pressed into service to help the stranded passengers on Saturday. Biscuits and water was being distributed to the stranded passengers. According to latest update, three boats have reached the site of the train to assist passengers. Catch Live Updates of Mumbai Rains Here.

The Chief Public Relation Officer of the Central Railway requested the stranded passengers not to get down from the train as it was the safest place. “We request passengers of Mahalaxmi Express not to get down from the train. Train is the safe place. Staff, RPF & City Police is in train to look after you. Please wait for advice from NDRF & other disaster management authorities”, the Central Railways PRO said.  The city has been lashed by torrential rains since Friday, but the impact was nowhere close to the monsoon fury of July 26, 2005. he heavy downpour exactly 14 years later caused waterlogging and traffic snarls in several parts of Mumbai and also led to flight delays.

Watch Video: RPF and City Police in stranded Mahalaxmi Express

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According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), intense spells of rain are likely to continue in the districts of Thane, Raigad and Mumbai during next four hours. The weather agency predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai in the next 24 hours while it sounding an orange alert for Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra for the next 24 hours. An orange alert signifies that the authorities should get ready for necessary action.

IMD Deputy Director General K S Hosalikar tweeted, "Today's rainfall forecast for 24 hours. Heavy rainfall over konkan region including Mumbai. Moderate rainfall upto 40 mm in Vidarbha and some parts of Marathwada, South Madhya Maharashtra.

The IMD, in its daily forecast, said that the southwest monsoon would remain active over central and adjoining south peninsular India in the coming days.  On Friday evening, the Central Railway had suspended services from Kalyan to Karjat/Khopoli as heavy rains lashed areas beyond Kalyan. The Central Railway carried out a night-long operation to rescue passengers stranded in local trains along Ambernath-Badlapur after services stopped due to heavy rain fall compounded with overflowing of Ulhas river resulting in water logging.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2019 10:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).