Heavy rains continued to batter Maharashtra on Monday, triggering flash floods and landslides that have claimed at least 10 lives so far. Road and rail traffic was severely disrupted across several parts of the state as the intensity of the rainfall increased after Sunday evening.
Train services on the busy Mumbai–Pune route were suspended early Monday after heavy rains triggered landslides in the Karjat–Lonavala Bhor Ghat section.
According to the Central Railway, landslides were reported near Thakurwadi in the ghat section and on the middle line between Khandala and Monkey Hill. All three railway lines in the stretch were affected, forcing the cancellation, diversion and regulation of several long-distance trains.
Among the cancelled services are the CSMT–Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express. Several long-distance trains have also been diverted, short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled.
Road traffic was also hit after a landslide near the exit of Tunnel 2 on the Khopoli–Kusgaon 'Missing Link'. Officials said vehicles travelling on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway were diverted as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, at least six people were killed and one person was injured after a three-storey 'chawl' (row tenement) collapsed in Mumbai's Mankhurd area amid the incessant rain. Rescue operations are underway to locate a person feared trapped beneath the debris.
According to officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), four women and one man were brought dead to the civic-run Shatabdi Hospital, while another man was declared dead at Rajawadi Hospital.
Earlier, an 18-year-old motorcyclist and a senior citizen lost their lives in separate tree-collapse incidents in Mumbai. The accidents occurred in the Naupada locality of Kurla West and in the Aarey Colony area of Goregaon East.
Schools shut; Mumbai University exams deferred
Authorities have declared a holiday for all government, private and civic-run schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar on Monday in view of the heavy rainfall.
The University of Mumbai has also postponed all examinations scheduled for July 6 after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather alert for the city. Revised examination dates will be announced later.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, however, clarified that government and private offices will function as usual.
In a post on X, the Pune Municipal Corporation urged residents to avoid stepping out unless absolutely necessary, stay away from rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations, and strictly follow advisories issued by the local administration.
