Mumbai rain: Landslide triggers suspension of Mumbai-Pune train services, expressway traffic restored

Heavy rains in Maharashtra triggered landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section early on Monday leading to suspension of train services on the busy Mumbai-Pune route.

Officials quoted by PTI informed that a landslide occurred near Thakurwadi in the ghat section. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway said that another landslide was reported on the middle line between Khandala and Monkey Hill at around 3.05 am.

Amid the landslides and heavy rains, all the three railway lines have been impacted, forcing Central Railway to cancel, divert and regulate several long-distance trains.




Check latest updates on Mumbai rains here as IMD issues red alert

The Mumbai-Pune railway route has three tracks in the Bhor Ghat section (Khandala Ghat): the Up line (towards Mumbai), Down line (towards Pune), and a Middle line.

"Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the South East Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, a landslide occurred between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin on the Up Main Line of Mumbai Division," Nila told the news agency.

Several trains, including the CSMT-Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express, were cancelled due to the disruptions. Additional services, including the Pune-CSMT Sinhagad Express and other trains, were also cancelled, while numerous long-distance trains were diverted, short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled amid the bad weather and landslides, officials said.

Railway authorities affirmed that restoration work is underway, advising passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journey.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the situation and asked both Western and Central Railway officers to work as one team to ensure early restoration of all train services.

"Reviewed the situation arising out of heavy landslides and boulders falling onto the railway tracks in the Mumbai-Pune ghat section. The team is fully geared up for restoration. Heavy rainfall is expected today also. Have asked both Western and Central Railway officers to work as one team to ensure early restoration of all train services," Vaishnaw said.

For passenger assistance, Central Railway has set up helplines at major stations.

The helpline numbers are: CSMT (022-22694040), Thane (9321336747), Lonavala (8356854238) and Dadar (9136452387). The authorities have urged passengers to use these numbers for real-time updates and travel-related information.

Also read: Six killed, one injured in Mankhurd chawl collapse amid heavy rain in Mumbai; rescue ops underway

Pune-Mumbai Expressway restored after landslide near ‘Missing Link’ tunnel exit

Following a landslide near the exit of ‘Missing Link’ Tunnel 2, the authorities had diverted the traffic on the Pune to Mumbai carriageway of the Khopoli-Kusgaon alignment earlier on Monday.

However, a few hours later, the traffic police told ANI that the water accumulated near the Pune Expressway and the debris that fell on the road due to landslides had been completely removed, after which the road has been opened again for vehicular traffic.

Vehicles are being allowed to proceed from there, Karan Shikalgar, Police Sub-Inspector, Traffic Police Karan Shikalgar said.

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) announced that a traffic diversion has been in place since 4 am on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of commuters.

The road corporation officials said that they were closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and advised motorists to avoid travelling on the route unless necessary.

Highway traffic police control room told the news agency traffic on the Khandala Ghat section of the expressway has been disrupted due to water logging and landslide.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link, inaugurated two months ago, is a 13-km bypass that cuts through the Sahyadri mountains. It was built to reduce travel distance by 6 km and shaving 25 to 30 minutes off the commute.

"Due to landslides and continuous heavy rainfall, traffic on both the Pune–Mumbai Expressway and the old Mumbai–Pune highway has been severely affected. Traffic in both directions—Pune–Mumbai and Mumbai–Pune—has been completely closed until further orders," MSRDC said in a post on X.

Also read: Mumbai authorities issue work from home advisory for private offices, some govt offices to observe half day

Mumbai rains today: IMD issues 'red alert'

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'redalert' for Mumbai, warning of intense rainfall, accompanied by gustry winds at speeds of 80 to 90 kilometers per hour.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) appealed to citizens to avoid venturing out if not urgent as several incidents of trees falling were reported across the city.

In the early hours of Monday, the weather agency had issued a 'Nowcast Warning' for three hours starting 7 AM.

Under the 'red warning' IMD warned of intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph across Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad.

Mumbai schools, colleges closed?

In view of the bad weather, the civic body declared a holiday for all government, municipal, private schools and colleges for July 6.

In the early hours of Monday, the weather agency issued a 'red warning' for three hours starting 4 AM, warning of intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph in districts of Mumbai, Palghar, Raigad and Thane.