Mumbai Rains LIVE Updates: Flights and trains affected as incessant downpour brings city to a standstill

India's financial capital Mumbai has been witnessing incessant rains from July 26 and the heavy downpour has continued to Saturday as well. Intense spells of rain are likely to continue in the districts of Thane, Raigad and Mumbai as per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The downpour has caused waterlogging and traffic problems in several parts of the city, including Sion, Matunga, Mahim, Andheri, Malad and Dahisar.

BMC has taken to Twitter to inform that heavy rainfall is likely to occur in the next couple of hours. 

Skymet has also informed that the showers are expected to continue for the next couple of hours. Few areas may see very intense spells, it said. 

Keeping in mind the rains woes, Mumbai Police has taken to its Twitter handle to request the citizens to not venture in waterlogged areas and maintain distance from the sea. 

Here's a check on the trains running late, cancelled or diverted, as per Central Railways:

READ | Mumbai Rains 3.0 Trends On Social Media, Even As Online Food Ordering/Delivery Apps Work Almost Like Normal During Intense Seasons 

Waterlogging in Sion after heavy rainfall. See pictures below:

Railway Protection Force and City police have reached the site where Mahalaxmi Express in Maharashtra where it is held up. Biscuits and water being distributed to the stranded passengers. The NDRF team to reach the spot soon.

Details of NDRF teams being deployed here:

5 BN NDRF teams have deployed for the rain situation in Mumbai and nearby areas.

Two teams left from RRC Mumbai in which one team for Badlapur to rescue passenger stuck in Mahalaxmi Exp. One team for Tamba and Raite villages in Kalyan for rescuing water-logged/ trapped villagers. One team has left from unit headquarters in Sudumbare for search ops in view of drowning incident in Indrayani river at Indori, Maval. One team of Famex left from Chiplun, Ratnagiri to Sindhudurg for search ops in view of drowning incident.

Two teams of 5 BN NDRF moved for Thane from Sudumbare for flood rescue ops.

Suburban services update:

Services are running in all sections except Kalyan-Karjat/Khopoli due to heavy rainfall leading to overflowing of Ulhas river between Ambarnath-Badlapur-Vangani.

Several places water-logged, after Waldhuni river overflows following heavy rainfall in the area. Here are some visuals from Kalyan, as reported by news agency ANI.

Mahalaxmi Express carrying around 2000 passengers held up between Maharashtra's Badlapur and Vangani due to excessive water on tracks. Railway Protection Force & City police have reached the site where the train is held up. NDRF team to reach the spot soon.

8 NDRF boats with personnel only few hundred metres away from site, to reach the train shortly.

Mahalaxmi Express has been held up due to heavy rains between Badlapur and Vangani, 8 NDRF boats to reach the train shortly. 

A team of National Disaster Response Force has arrived at the location where Mahalaxmi Express is held up between Badlapur and Vangani with approx 2000 passengers on-board.

As per latest information on Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation, the CPRO of Central Railways has confirmed that total 700 passengers are on-board the train.

Meanwhile, the NDRF team and Navy chopper are conducting the rescue operation.

NDRF teams reach spot where Mahalaxmi Express is stranded, rescue operation underway as approx 700 people on board the train, according to CPRO Central Railway.

The NDRF has said that 500 people have been evacuated from Mahalaxmi Express so far.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis instructs the Chief Secretary to personally monitor rescue operations at Vangani where people are stranded in Mahalaxmi Express.

Rescue operation underway.

500 plus people have been rescued by NDRF so far including 9 pregnant women.  Ambulances with 37 doctors with gynaecologist deployed for emergency. Necessary arrangements like food etc made at Sahyadri Mangal Karayalay. 14 buses,3 tempos arranged for further movement.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has appealed the citizens stranded in Mahalaxmi Express to not worry and has ensured that all measures & rescue operations are taken care of roping in all expert teams from NDRF, Army, Navy, Local administration, Police, Railway Ministry.

More than 500 passengers have been evacuated from stranded 17411 Mahalakshmi Express. Remaining passengers will be evacuated soon. Teams of NDRF, Railway and state Government and Fire brigade are working in full swing.

Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer on Mahalaxmi Express rescue operation: All passengers have been evacuated safely.

Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer has informed that a special train with 19 coaches will leave from Kalyan to Kolhapur with the passengers of Mahalaxmi Express.

Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter and praised the teams of NDRF, Indian Navy, IAF and Railways and Maharashtra state administration after the 700 passengers onboard Mahalaxmi Express were rescued safely.