Incessant rains lashing Mumbai since last night disrupted normal life resulting in suspension of train services on the busy Central, Harbour and Western lines due to water-logging of tracks and in low-lying
Thousands of commuters, bound for offices and other work places, were caught unaware at suburban stations around the city as railways announced suspension of services.
While Central line connects Mumbai CST to far-flung areas like Kasara, Badlapur, Ambernath etc., Harbour Line connects CST to Panvel. Western line starts from Churchgate and is recently extended up to Dahanu.
In total, around 70-80 lakh people travel daily by local trains across all three lines, which are called as lifeline of the city.
Railway sources said it is difficult to say by when the services would be resumed. Meanwhile, rain services on the Western line were also cancelled.
The city has been battered by heavy rains since last night. Weather department forecasted heavy showers over the next 48 hours and a high tide around 2 in the afternoon. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued an alert, warning people against stepping out.
The railways have advised commuters to avoid travel in view of the situation unless it is very urgent.
“Suburban services are affected due to heavy rains and water-logging in several areas in Mumbai Central and Matunga. It is advised to all that commuters may travel only in case of emergency,” Western Railway stated in a release.
There seems to be no let up in the situation with the Meteorological Department predicting heavy to very heavy monsoon rains in some areas.
In the early hours, thousands of commuters leaving for offices were caught unaware on reaching the suburban railway stations as trains were being cancelled due to water-logging of tracks following heavy downpour since last night.
As services on all three railway lines–Central, Western and Harbour–were cancelled, harried commuters rushed to catch buses, taxis or any other mode of transport available to reach their destinations, which resulted in massive traffic jams at many places, exacerbated by inundation in low-lying areas.
The Western Railway services which were initially running late by 10 to 15 minutes, were later cancelled. The rains resulted in water-logging in almost all low-lying areas of Mumbai and its suburbs.
“Thane-Karjat/Kasara and Vasvhi-Panvel Shuttle services and trans-harbour services are running,” said Central Railway PRO A K Singh.
“Our supervising staff are alert and as soon water level recedes, services would be resumed,” Central Railway PRO A K Singh added.
According to information given by the control room of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), water-logging is reported in areas like Kurla, Chembur, Tilak Nagar, Andheri, Parel, Lower Parel, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Dombivili.
An IMD forecast at 0800 hours today said, “Intermittent rains/shower would occur in the city and suburbs.
17.The average rainfall recorded in 24 hours ending 8 AM today is — City 188 mm, Eastern Suburbs 155 mm, Western Suburbs 172 mm while the high tide (4.47 metres) is expected at 2:29 PM.
