On a day when more than 100 people were killed in Western and Southern India due to record-breaking rain, a passenger train from Karnataka’s Mangaluru to Mumbai was struck by a landslide in Goa, as dramatic photos showed.
The train was identified as the 01134 Mangaluru Jn – CST Terminus Express Special, which was diverted through Madgaon-Londa-Miraj due to an overflowing Vashishti river, according to local sources.
The engine and the first general ran off the rails on the Dudhsagar-Sonaulim stretch in Goa. There were no injuries to passengers.
According to the latest reports, passengers from the damaged coach were transferred to other coaches and the train was transported back to Kulem.
Following persistent rains, landslides were recorded at two places along the ghat portion of the South Western Railway’s Hubballi division – between Dudhsagar and Sonaulim stations and between Caranzol and Dudhsagar stations.
The 02780 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Vasco Da Gama Express Special, which started from Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin on Wednesday and was partially cancelled between Londa and Vasco Da Gama, was one of the other trains affected.
Train No 08048 Vasco Da Gama-Howrah Express Special, Train No 07420 Vasco Da Gama-Tirupati Express Special and Train No 07420/07022 Vasco Da Gama-Tirupati Hyderabad Express Special were also cancelled.
A total of 129 people have died in rain-related incidents in Maharashtra in 48 hours, a senior state disaster management official said on Friday, as heavy showers lashed several parts of west and southern India.
In addition, three people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Karnataka and two are missing, with the state government sounding a red alert in seven districts.
Several parts of Goa, including Sattari and Bicholim tehsils in the north and Dharbandora in the south, are reeling under a flood-like situation, and a large number of houses were inundated as the water level of some rivers rose following heavy rains over the past few days.
