Palghar floods: NDRF rescues stranded villagers as train services remain disrupted

Those stranded at Bharad village in Dahanu taluka, who were rescued by a joint team of the fire brigade, police, and revenue department Pics/Special Arrangement

Flooding due to continuous heavy rainfall is taking a toll in Palghar and adjoining districts, with the district administration deploying the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to rescue stranded villagers, even as hundreds of passengers have been stuck in trains due to cancellations and detentions.

Train operations were being regulated in the interest of passenger safety. Western Railway officials said they were continuously monitoring the situation, and services would be restored as soon as conditions permit.

Rescue and relief operations

The district administration has stepped up emergency efforts, evacuating 891 people from 218 families in Dahanu, Talasari and Palghar talukas to safer locations. Officials said rescue teams were evacuating stranded residents, and food packets were being supplied. Nine people stranded at Bharad village in Dahanu taluka were rescued by the fire brigade, police and revenue department.

The Manor-Nashik National Highway has been closed after the Pachmad bridge in Vikramgad got submerged

Jakhar said, "A massive relief operation has been launched. The situation remains precarious." She added that in many flooded localities, residents had moved to upper floors for safety. "Such citizens can be evacuated only after water levels recede," she said, noting that even NDRF personnel were finding it difficult to reach affected areas because of strong currents and extensive flooding.

Roads, bridges closed

Sources said Dahanu and Talasari talukas were virtually cut off because of incessant rain and several roads in parts of the district, including Masvan and Saravali, were submerged, affecting vehicular movement. The Manor-Nashik National Highway has been closed after the Pachmad bridge in Vikramgad got submerged due to rising water levels. Also, traffic has been suspended on the Narpad-Chikhla coastal road after a section of the road caved in.

Passengers fed

A flood-hit spot in Palghar

Khichdi and vegetarian fare was being served on platforms 2/3 by Jay Manav Seva Parivar Trust at Nadiad railway station. Water, tea, milk, biscuits, food packets, poori-sabzi, and kadi-chaval were also served at various stations in Vadodara division with the help of NGOs, self-help groups, philanthropists, railway passenger associations, and religious organisations.

NDRF action

The district administration closed all educational institutions in Palghar for Thursday and asked for an additional NDRF team. Palghar Collector Indu Rani Jakhar said Dahanu and Talasari talukas were the worst hit, with heavy flooding in Dahanu town and several hamlets in Talasari, where hundreds of residents have been marooned. "One NDRF team is deployed in the district and is engaged in rescue operations," she said.

Train operations

Services have been temporarily affected between Dahanu and Valsad at various locations, and trains operated cautiously as precautionary measures.

Bridge No. 203 (Umargam Road-Gholvad): Up and down traffic was suspended at 4.43 am after the water level touched the danger mark. It was restored at 6.50 am with a speed restriction of 15 kmph.

Bridge No. 230 (Sanjan Yard): Up and down train movement has been suspended since 6.45 am.

Bridge No. 284 (Udvada-Vapi): Movement on the up and down lines had to be temporarily suspended around 7.05 am