Train services between Mumbai and Pune were severely disrupted on Monday after incessant monsoon rain triggered multiple landslides in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section, forcing Central Railway to suspend operations on one of India’s busiest rail corridors.
At least 16 trains, including the Deccan Queen, Indrayani Express, Deccan Express, Pragati Express and Sinhagad Express, were cancelled, while several others were diverted or rescheduled. Railway officials deployed engineering teams to clear debris and inspect tracks before restoring services, urging passengers to avoid unnecessary travel, check the latest train status and use dedicated helpline numbers for updates.
The disruption came as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) continued to warn of heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Maharashtra.
Heavy Rain Brings Rail Network to a Standstill
According to Central Railway, continuous rainfall triggered landslides between Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin in the Karjat-Lonavala Bhor Ghat section, with mud, rocks and debris falling onto railway tracks. In addition, a ballast washout, where the crushed stone supporting railway tracks is washed away by strong water flow, was reported in the Karjat-Khopoli section, making train operations unsafe until repairs could be completed.
Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila said restoration teams were working round the clock despite adverse weather conditions. “Incessant heavy rainfall” had affected the South East Ghat section, he said, adding that train movement would resume only after the tracks were thoroughly inspected and certified safe. Authorities cancelled 16 passenger trains and diverted several long-distance services through alternate routes to minimise disruption. Passengers were advised to check live train status through official railway platforms or call helpline numbers available at major stations, including Mumbai CSMT, Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Lonavala and Pune.
Monsoon Disruption Extends Beyond Railways
The rail disruption formed part of a wider monsoon emergency across Maharashtra. Heavy rain led to landslides near the Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s Missing Link tunnel and temporarily affected traffic on both the expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway before authorities gradually restored vehicular movement.
Meanwhile, Mumbai witnessed widespread waterlogging, delays on suburban rail services, closure of schools in some areas, postponement of university examinations and advisories asking people to avoid non-essential travel. The IMD issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad, warning of continued heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, prompting emergency agencies to remain on high alert across the state.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Extreme weather events are increasingly testing the resilience of India’s transport infrastructure and emergency response systems. While restoring rail connectivity is essential for millions of commuters, passenger safety must remain the foremost priority.
Timely communication, preventive maintenance in vulnerable hill sections and climate-resilient infrastructure can help reduce disruption during future monsoons. As intense rainfall becomes more frequent, what long-term measures should governments and public agencies prioritise to keep essential transport networks both safe and reliable?
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#BREAKING Heavy rainfall of 625mm triggered a major landslide between Lonavala and Karjat, damaging tracks and disrupting Mumbai-Pune train services.
— jarvis ☠️ (@Vishii14) July 6, 2026
@Central_Railway @RailMinIndia
#MumbaiRains #PuneRains #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/hej9CA5CpL
