Mumbai Rains update: IMD predicts scattered heavy rainfall in Raigad, Thane, Palghar and parts of Ratnagiri

Mumbai Rains: Even as torrential rains continuously hit Mumbai since the past three days, causing havoc in the the city, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Raigad, Thane, Palghar and some of parts of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra will witness scattered heavy rainfall, and extra heavy rainfall at isolated places, today and tomorrow.

Private weather forcaster SkyMetWeather tweeted, "The onslaught of the #MumbaiRains may be ease slightly today, but will remain a guest for the course of the week, with a few thunderous showdowns in the middle."

Talking about other parts in Maharashtra, it tweeted, "#Pune has received 72 mm of #rains until 5:30 today, the heaviest downpours in the city during recent times. Now we expect these good rains to continue today as well. Waterlogging in low lying areas and traffic disruption will be common."

Meanwhile, Indian Air Force (IAF), Navy, Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have launched a massive aerial and surface operation to rescue an estimated 1,500 passengers stranded in the Mahalaxmi Express on the flooded railway tracks at Vangani on Saturday.

Giving information about rescue operation of stranded passengers of the Mahalaxmi Express, Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer tweeted, "#MahalaxmiExpress rescue operation: Evacuated passengers being lodged at safe places from where they will be moved to Badlapur."

Following an SOS from the Maharashtra government to the Defence authorities, at least two helicopters, including a Seaking and a MI17, with relief material and personnel were despatched from Mumbai to the site. Simultaneously, teams of the NDRF reached the train from Badlapur, around 7 kms away in inflatable rubber boats and started extracting the passengers from the train, which left Mumbai for Kolhapur on Friday around 8 p.m.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Office also stated that 7 Navy teams, 2 helicopters of Indian Air Force, 2 Military columns have been deployed along with local administration to help people, adding that two more military columns are on the way. The situation is under control, it earlier added.