Rail, road traffic disrupted by heavy rains in Mumbai
MORE DOWNPOURS HAVE BEEN PREDICTED FOR THE CITY UNTIL TOMORROW
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Torrential rains continued to lash the metropolis and its neighbouring areas for the second day yesterday, disrupting railway services and badly affecting normal life.
Suburban services were suspended on a section of the Western Railway (WR) due to waterlogging on tracks and several long-distance and intercity express trains were delayed or cancelled, officials said.
The downpour flooded many roads and streets in low-lying areas of the city and its adjoining districts of Palghar and Thane. People were seen wading through waist-deep water.
The Tulsi lake — a major source of water supply for the city and its suburbs — overflowed due to the heavy showers. Mumbai’s Dabbawalas, the lunch pack carriers, also suspended their services.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rain until tomorrow.
The IMD’s Colaba observatory (for Mumbai) recorded 165.8mm rainfall in the 24hour period of 8.30am yesterday till 8.30am today. ■
The Santacruz observatory, which records rainfall for suburban Mumbai, reported 184.3mm rainfall in the same period.
Train tracks waterlogged
Since Monday night, more than 200mm rainfall had been recorded and this has led to waterlogging on rail tracks, a railway official said.
Keeping in view the safety of passengers, services on the fast track between Vasai and Virar in Palghar district and that of the air-conditioned local trains have been suspended until the water level on tracks recedes, he said.
“Services of AC local have been suspended today in view of very heavy rains & water logging at/around Nallasopara, till further information,” the Western Railway (WR) said in a tweet.
However, the slow track services were operational between Churchgate in south Mumbai and Virar. Trains were running late by 10 to 20 minutes, the railway official said, adding that pumps were being used to drain out water from tracks.
In view of the flooding on rail tracks, the WR terminated and cancelled nine outstation trains, he said.
Arrangements were being made to provide snacks and water to passengers of the longdistance trains that were delayed or stopped at various stations, the official said.
Rescuers on standby
The Central Railway’s local train services on its main and harbour lines were running late by 15 to 25 minutes, a CR official said.
A Defence spokesperson said rescue, diving and air teams were on standby.
There were reports of waterlogging form several areas, including Hindmata, Parel, King’s Circle, Dharavi, Kurla, Sion, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Mulund, Dadar and Borivili, a BMC disaster management unit official said.
“Vehicular movement was slow on the Western Express Highway. However, traffic movement on the Eastern Express Highway was normal,” he said.