Mahalaxmi Express: 500 passengers rescued so far

The Mahalaxmi Express, it’s known, has been held up between Badlapur and Wangi due to heavy rains in Maharashtra.  Around 1500 passengers have been stranded for several hours at a stretch.  

The news is that the Railway Protection Force and the Mumbai City police have reached the site to carry out rescue operations.  Two military helicopters and six NDRF boats have also been rescuing the stranded passengers.  So far, as many as 500 passengers, including 117 children, have been rescued to safety.  

The Mumbai-Kolhapur Mahalaxmi Express is surrounded with five to six feet water on all sides, reports say.  As such, passengers have been asked not to step out, as it would be very risky.  

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is monitoring the situation with the help of CMO officials.