
All passengers of stranded Mahalaxmi Express train in Badlapur, Maharashtra have been safely evacuated. The train was stranded due to a heavy downpour that has lashed parts of Maharashtra. All 700 passengers and 200 railway staffwho were aboard the train have been rescued, news agency ANI reported.
Earlier in the day,Director General ofNational Disaster Response Force said "around 900 passengers have been safely evacuated," ANI reported.
"Women and children were evacuated first including 9 pregnant women after that elderly people were evacuated;finally male passengers. Around 900 passengers have been safely evacuated,"SN Pradhan, Director General ofNational Disaster Response Force said.
The team, comprising officials from NDRF, Indian Army and Navy carried out the large scale rescue operation. Several boats were used for the rescue operation, while 37 doctors, including a gynaecologist, were deployed at the site.
As torrential rains continued to batter Mumbai, Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express washeld up between Vangani and Badlapur since 3 amthis morning.
Around three-foot-high flood water was reported near Vangani station, where the train was stuck.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavisinstructed the Chief Secretary to monitor rescue operations personally.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai also spoketo Fadnavis and assured all assistance from the government's side.