Mumbai-Pune traffic update: Expressway reopened after debris removal amid heavy monsoon rains

The waterlogging near the PuneMumbai Expressway and the debris that fell on the road due to landslides have been completely cleared following which the expressway has been reopened for vehicular traffic traffic police saidPolice SubInspector Karan Shikalgar of the Traffic Police said vehicles are now being allowed to pass through the affected stretchThe traffic police are continuously working to regulate vehicular movement If there is any obstruction on the new route traffic will be diverted to the old route Shikalgar said ANI reportedMumbaiPune route was shut due to landslidesEarlier the Pune traffic authorities had announced that all routes connecting Pune and Mumbai were closed due to landslides and severe waterlogging caused by relentless rainfall over the past 48 hoursA landslide also occurred near Tunnel No 40 BB EMD on the MumbaindashPune railway route Railway authorities are carrying out debris removal on a war footing with restoration work currently underwayPune Traffic Superintendent Shivaji Pawar had appealed to commuters to avoid travelling from Pune to Mumbai via both the old MumbaindashPune Highway and the ExpresswayThe Connecting Link on the PunendashMumbai Expressway was completely closed due to a landslide The old expressway route was shut because of waterlogging while a landslide also occurred on the old highway The entire PunetoMumbai route was blocked The MumbaitoPune carriageway remained operational although traffic was moving slowly We appealed to commuters to postpone their journey from Pune to Mumbai unless absolutely necessary Pawar said reported ANIMumbai on red alertMeanwhile Mumbai and its suburbs are expected to receive very heavy continuous rainfall according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations BMC weather forecast issued at 8 am on MondayThe city is also likely to experience gusty winds of 8090 kmph Considering the combined impact of heavy rainfall and strong winds the IMD has upgraded Mumbai to a red alertThe BMC said the city recorded an average rainfall of 10524 mm over the past 24 hours The eastern suburbs received 16111 mm while the western suburbs recorded 15940 mm during the same periodHigh tide warning issuedAuthorities have forecast a high tide of 408 metres at 356 pm followed by a low tide of 152 metres at 1013 pm On Tuesday another high tide of 344 metres is expected at 438 am followed by a low tide of 186 metres at 959 amTree fall blocks road in ColabaA large tree fell on a road in Mumbais Colaba area blocking access to a military zoneFire Brigade personnel reached the spot and are clearing the road by cutting and removing the trees branches and trunkMumbaiPune rail services affectedHeavy rainfall has also disrupted MumbaiPune railway services with several trains cancelled and others diverted Railway authorities have advised passengers to check the latest train status before commencing their journeyPalghar rain worsens flooding in VasaiVirarAccording to the Western Railway Public Relations Officer PRO the Palghar region recorded nearly 300 mm of rainfall within two hours leading to a massive inflow of water towards the VasaiVirar sectionWater is accumulating due to the inflow from the Palghar side All city and district drainage channels are overflowing the PRO saidThe PRO added that large parts of Nalasopara city have been flooded preventing water from draining from railway tracks and station premisesAt present train services are operational but are running at restricted speeds due to waterlogging the PRO saidWith ANI inputs