Mahalaxmi Express: 700 stranded passengers rescued
Mumbai, July 27 (IBNS): Rescue workers evacuated 700 passengers, who were present in the stranded Mahalaxmi Express, from Badlapur area in rain-hit Maharashtra, officials said on Saturday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the number of rescued people and tweeted: "Teams of @NDRFHQ , @indiannavy , @adgpi , IAF, Railways & state administration have safely rescued all the 700 passengers stranded on Mahalaxmi Exp near Mumbai due to heavy rain. We were closely monitoring the entire operation.Kudos to the rescue teams for their exemplary effort."
Teams of @NDRFHQ, @indiannavy, @adgpi, IAF, Railways & state administration have safely rescued all the 700 passengers stranded on Mahalaxmi Exp near Mumbai due to heavy rain.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 27, 2019
We were closely monitoring the entire operation.
Kudos to the rescue teams for their exemplary effort. pic.twitter.com/4ODPDh9jxd
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with other security forces are performing the evacuation process.
NDRF reached the spot along with six boats at 0943 hrs and started the rescue operation along with local police, KDMC fire brigade, Tehsil administration, local administration State emergency Operation.
These teams which reached by road included Flood relief teams and specialist divers.
In addition, one helicopter has also been deployed with special equipment and clearance divers, to be dropped close to train for assistance and situation assessment.
Along with TDRF (Local task Force), Navy and NDRF, one Army Column has also been moved to the location.
The Army 's column has 130 trained personnel carrying food packages, drinking water and rescue material.
Badlapur station is 72 kms away from Mumbai.
Around 0850 hrs on Saturday, Railway Safety Control Room intimated that the Mahalaxmi Express was trapped near Badalpur and required urgent rescue due to rising water level, the Home Ministry officials said.
One NDRF team with six boats were immediately dispatched to the site and two other NDRF teams followed them after few hours. Navy and Airforce are being kept ready on standby.
A team of railway officials, Railway Protection Force and medicos headed by Additional Divisional Railway Manager M N P Singh is available at Badlapur station at contact no 8828119001.
Further arrangements for shifting of passengers to Kolhapur are being undertaken.
Image: NDRF Twitter page
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