Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 29 (IANS) Four days of heavy downpour has hit the lifeline of Mumbai — the local trains. Tens of thousands of passengers had a harrowing time getting to office Monday morning as service at most stations was suspended due to flooding on the tracks, officials said.

All Central Railway suburban train services were hit between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus-Thane and beyond Karjat (Raigad) where a portion of the track was washed away Sunday.

Similarly, the Harbor Line service was suspended between VT and Mankhurd and was being operated only between Panvel and Mankhurd, an official spokesperson said.

Delays also marred the services on Western Railway (WR) on account of incessant heavy rains which have being lashing the city and other parts of the state since last week.

In view of the problems faced by students, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Monday declared a holiday for all civic schools.

Several subways, including Dahisar, Kandivli, Malad, Jogeshwari, Santacruz, were flooded, hitting road traffic.

Waterlogging was reported at roads near several station areas, creating massive traffic snarls.

Traffic on both Eastern Express Highway and Western Express Highway went out of gear, as also the other main and arterial roads crisscrossing the city.

Flooding plagued the usual flood-prone areas like Parel, Dadar, Andheri, Malad, Dahisar, Kurla, Sion, Ghatkopar and Byculla.

Similar problems were reported in nearby suburbs of Thane like Mira Road, Vasai, Nalla-Sopara, Virar, Kalyan, and villages in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts.

The weather office has forecast more rains in Mumbai and other parts of the state till Tuesday morning.