Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 7: Torrential rainfall of nearly 600 mm within 24 hours triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Ghat section on the Mumbai-Pune rail corridor, severely disrupting train services over the past two days, railway officials said.
According to official data, Lonavala in Pune district recorded 670 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 7 am on Monday. Officials said Pune district witnessed landslides at 22 locations during the period.
Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila said the ghat section had already received around 300 mm of rainfall on Sunday, with nearly 160 mm recorded in the first four hours alone.
The intense rainfall triggered the first landslide near Thakurwadi, affecting all three railway lines in the Bhor Ghat section. Another landslide occurred between Monkey Hill and Khandala, while a tree also fell on the down main line near Khandala station later in the day.
Nila said railway tracks suffered extensive damage at several locations, but restoration work was launched immediately despite continuous rain.
He added that stationary watchmen had been deployed at all vulnerable points in the ghat section in anticipation of heavy rainfall. Their timely alerts ensured that no train was struck by landslides and no passengers were injured.
During the incidents, the Daund-Gwalior Express was halted near Khandala, while the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Bengaluru Express was stopped near Thakurwadi. Both trains were safely moved back to Lonavala and Karjat stations at around 6.15 am on Monday.
The disruption had a major impact on train operations. Central Railway cancelled 27 trains, including four suburban services between Palasdari and Lonavala. In addition, 57 trains were diverted, 19 were short-terminated, 15 short-originated and four were rescheduled till late Monday evening.
Railway authorities have deployed 200 workers in the affected ghat section for restoration work and are mobilising another 200 labourers to speed up repairs.
Meanwhile, train services between Karjat and Khopoli in Raigad district partially resumed on Monday evening after remaining suspended for nearly 12 hours due to a ballast washout between Lowjee and Dolavli stations caused by heavy rain.
The Karjat-Khopoli route forms part of Mumbai's suburban railway network and is used daily by thousands of commuters travelling to the city for work.