MUMBAI: On Thursday, the Central Railways announced the cancellation of several trains operating between Mumbai and Pune due to intense rainfall. This disruption follows a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department for the region, warning of severe weather conditions.
Pune, in particular, faced severe flooding, with around 400 people evacuated from low-lying areas as water levels surged. The heavy rains have led to significant waterlogging and increased water levels in the Badlapur-Vagani section, causing six train cancellations.
Here is the list of affected trains:
From Mumbai to Pune:
Train No. 12123 Deccan Queen Express: Scheduled to depart from CSMT at 5:10 pm on Thursday. Train No. 12125 PRAGATI Express: Scheduled to depart from CSMT at 4:25 pm on Thursday. Train No. 12127 Intercity Express: Scheduled to depart from CSMT at 6:40 am on Friday.
From Pune to Mumbai:
Train No. 12124 Deccan Queen Express: Scheduled to depart from Pune at 7:15 am on Friday. Train No. 12126 PRAGATI Express: Scheduled to depart from Pune at 7:50 am on Friday. Train No. 12128 Intercity Express: Scheduled to depart from Pune at 5:55 pm on Friday.
In addition to the train disruptions, Pune has experienced tragic rain-related incidents, with four fatalities reported and others feared trapped. Rescue teams from the Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to assist with the crisis, as many areas have become nearly inaccessible due to flooding.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that emergency measures are in place. "The situation is dire with water affecting roads and homes. The Khadakwasla Dam and its catchment area are experiencing heavy rainfall. The District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Police Commissioner are actively monitoring the situation. We have NDRF and SDRF teams on the ground, and the Army is on standby. We are prepared for airlifting operations if required," he said.
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