Torrential monsoon rains continued to batter Maharashtra on Monday, triggering floods, landslides and structural collapses that claimed multiple lives and severely disrupted road and rail connectivity across the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg, forecasting continued heavy to extremely heavy rainfall through Tuesday. Authorities have shut schools in several districts and advised residents to avoid non-essential travel.
Heavy rainfall also caused widespread disruption to Maharashtra’s transport network.
A landslide near the entry point of the newly inaugurated Mumbai-Pune ‘Missing Link’ project close to Lonavala led to the collapse of a concrete slab, sending mud and debris onto the highway. As a precaution, highway police suspended traffic at the Urse toll plaza.
The State Emergency Operations Centre and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) announced the closure or disruption of several key routes, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, sections of the Mumbai-Goa Highway at Chiplun Khavati and Sukeli Khind in Raigad, the Pen-Khopoli route, the Mangaon-Pali road and the Mangaon-Pune Tamhini Ghat road.
Near Parshuram Ghat on the Mumbai-Goa Highway, loose soil and boulders continued to slide onto the road, while stranded motorists reported traffic jams lasting up to 10 to 12 hours.
Mumbai’s suburban rail network also faced major disruptions on Monday morning as waterlogging affected tracks in Vasai, Nalasopara and Vikhroli. At Nalasopara station, floodwaters submerged all four railway lines, forcing trains to operate at reduced speeds.
Western Railway services were delayed by 20 to 25 minutes, Central Railway trains by 15 to 20 minutes and Harbour Line services by around 10 minutes.
Rail services between Mumbai and Pune were also affected after a landslide in the Thakurwadi area blocked the Pune-Mumbai railway line. Boulders on the tracks between Karjat and Lonavala forced the cancellation and diversion of several long-distance trains.
In Raigad district, rivers continued to swell due to incessant rainfall. The Savitri River crossed the danger mark, inundating markets in Mahad and surrounding agricultural fields. The Patalganga and Bhogavati rivers also overflowed, leading to flooding in Khopoli, including commercial establishments along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Nashik district, forecasting heavy rainfall over the ghat sections. Similar weather conditions, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, are expected in parts of Vidarbha, including Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said he had reviewed the situation in the landslide-hit railway sections and directed officials from Western and Central Railways to work jointly to restore services at the earliest.
“Our teams are fully deployed on the ground to clear the tracks and roads. I have directed officials from both Western and Central Railways to work as a unified team to restore safe rail services at the earliest,” he said.
Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel as the threat of further landslides, flooding and heavy rainfall persists.
(With inputs from IANS)
