MUMBAI: The incessant rains in and around Mumbai regions for the past few days have thrown life out of gear in many areas and relief and rescue operations have been undertaken in places where the situation has become very hazardous due to the effects of the deluge. One such major operation was done in a water-logged resort at Shristi Farm in Vasind in Maharashtra's Thane district on Sunday where as many as 150 people were rescued and taken to safety. 

According to NDRF officials, tourists staying near Vasind village in Shahapur woke up on Sunday morning to find floodwaters having engulfed several houses. After one of them informed the district’s disaster management department, a team of 40  National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel launched a rescue operation and safely evacuated over 150 tourists from the flooded area using boats and vehicles. 

An official from the NDRF said that the main road was 2 km away from the spot. Upon arrival, we reassured their safety, particularly by comforting several scared children. "Initially, we rescued them using boats. As the water levels receded later, we safely transported them out using vehicles," the official added. The stranded tourists were taken to safe places from where they could return to their homes. 

In another rescue operation, 16 villagers were rescued by the NDRF and firefighters in Palghar district of Maharashtra. A group of villagers from Chalispada of Saiwan in Vasai, who were working on their farms, got stranded when the area was flooded after water levels rose in the nearby Tansa Lake. The catchment area that supplies drinking water to Mumbai received very heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

In yet another location in Thane district, the NDRF and local firefighters were mobilised in the afternoon, and 16 people were brought to safety. As part of the monsoon preparedness, NDRF teams are deployed in parts of Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts, an NDRF official said.

There are 13 teams with around 32 personnel each in different parts of the state, including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur. After the heavy downpour, local and long-distance train services passing through Thane district have been suspended. The officials said local train services between Kasara and Titwala stations in Maharashtra’s Thane district adjoining Mumbai were suspended on Sunday morning following heavy rains in Mumbai.

According to the officials, soil came on tracks between Atgaon and Thansit railway stations due to heavy rains and a fallen tree blocked tracks near Vasind station, disrupting rail traffic on the busy Kalyan-Kasara route. There are 13 teams with 32 to 35 personnel each in different parts of the state, including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur. Five teams are at the NDRF head office in Pune.