MUMBAI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,000 passengers were stranded on board of an outstation train at Badlapur, 53 km from Mumbai, due to incessant rains since Thursday night logging the rail tracks with water.
Three boats have reached the site of the train to assist passengers and more boats are being inflated for rescue operations, said Brijesh Singh, inspector general of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations of India's western state of Maharashtra.
Seven people have been rescued so far, according to the update from the control room of Disaster Management cell.
The train, named Mahalaxmi Express, departed from Mumbai on Thursday night for Kolhapur - 374 km from Mumbai and was held up as heavy rains lashed Mumbai city and adjacent districts.
The railways have requested the stranded passengers not to get down from the train.
"Train is the safe place. Staff, RPF (Railway Police Force) and City Police is in train to look after your well-being. Please wait for advice from NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and other disaster management authorities," it tweeted.
Initially, the authorities planned to airlift the passengers to safety but their efforts were hampered by the heavy rains. Air force chopper has also been pressed into action to support rescue efforts.
According to India Meteorological Department, the city's suburbs received 150-180 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours and heavy rainfall is expected to continue on Saturday.
Several states of north India are facing floods due to heavy rainfall over the past few days.
