AFP, New Delhi :
Indian navy helicopters and emergency service boats came to the rescue of about 700 people stuck on a train caught in floods near Mumbai on Saturday.
The Mahalaxmi Express left Mumbai late Friday for Kolhapur but got only 60 kilometres (37 miles) before it became stranded as torrential rain flooded the tracks.
Authorities called in the Indian navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to use helicopters and boats. An NDRF spokesman said 500 people had been rescued in about two hours.
The disaster response service also set up a camp near the stranded train.
An Indian Railways spokesperson told the Press Trust of India news agency that a “special relief train” would be laid on to take the passengers to their destinations.
Heavy monsoon rains battered Mumbai forcing the cancellation of 11 flights from the financial capital’s international airport on Saturday while nine incoming flights were diverted to other airports.
More than 250 people have died in flooding across India in the past two weeks, with Assam and Bihar states the worst hit.
Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation: 8 flood rescue teams from Navy including 3 diving teams mobilised with rescue material, inflatable boats & life jackets. A Seaking Helicopter also sent with divers for deployment in the area as advance assessment party. #Maharashtra
“Our request to passengers of Mahalaxmi Express, please don’t get down from train. Train is a safe place. Staff, RPF and City Police are in train to look after your wellbeing. Please wait for advice from the NDRF and other disaster management authorities,” said Sunil Udasi, the chief spokesperson of the Central Railway.
Hundreds of panicky, starving and thirsty passengers on the Mumbai-Kolhapur train were seen making appeals for help on mobile videos and social media.
They said they had no drinking water or food since nearly 15 hours and no escape route as the train was practically cut off with five-six feet water on all sides.
Guardian Minister for Thane, Eknath Gaikwad said two helicopters will help the rescue operation along with six teams of the NDRF on the ground from Mumbai, Thane and Pune which are rushing there with inflatable rubber boats shortly.
To rescue passengers on board Mahalaxmi Express, in all eight rescue teams from the Navy that include three diving teams have been sent to the spot with rescue material, inflatable boats and life jackets, according to an ANI report.
A Sea King Helicopter has also been sent with divers for deployment in the area as advance assessment party.
The towns of Badlapur, Ulhasnagar, Vangani were practically underwater since early Saturday as heavy rain lashed the region, flooding local rivers and other water bodies.
The Central Railway (CR) earlier in the day warned the Mahalaxmi Express passengers against stepping out of the trains in view of the dangerous water levels outside and requested them to wait for help which is on the way.
The CR added that a relief train has been stationed at Badlapur to ferry the passengers, along with food, water and medical supplies, besides making arrangements to take the passengers onward to Kolhapur.
In Mumbai, Minister of Education Ashish Shelar has directed schools and colleges to declare a holiday to ensure students are not inconvenienced if heavy rain continued.
Severe waterlogging has been reported from several areas after the Waldhuni river overflowed owing to heavy downpour.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted intermittent rain with heavy to very heavy falls at few places in the city and suburbs.
Railway tracks were submerged under the water on the Central line of Mumbai Suburban Railway network.
On Friday, at least 11 flights to and from the Mumbai airport were cancelled, however, flight operations are normal as of Saturday morning.
The torrential rains had come to a brief stop earlier this month leaving at least 40 dead with over 28 deaths being reported from Mumbai alone.
Mumbai had recorded the highest July rainfall in 10 years and the second-highest in 44 years.
