Maharashtra rains trigger multiple landslides; Mumbai-Pune Expressway hit, NDRF leads rescue in Pune

The impact of relentless monsoon rain is becoming increasingly visible across Maharashtra, with landslides disrupting transport routes and threatening lives in vulnerable areas. On Monday, a landslide near the newly opened Missing Link section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway forced authorities to divert traffic, while a separate landslide struck a house in Pune district, prompting an emergency rescue operation.

The expressway disruption is expected to affect commuters travelling towards Mumbai, with traffic being diverted after a landslide was reported near the exit of Tunnel 2 on the Khopoli-Kusgaon Missing Link alignment.

Authorities implemented the diversion from around 4 am as a precautionary measure amid continuing heavy rainfall. The Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Missing Link route was closed to ensure commuter safety, resulting in traffic build-up on alternative stretches of the expressway.

The Missing Link corridor, opened recently, is a major infrastructure project designed to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune. However, the rain-triggered landslide has temporarily disrupted traffic flow on one of the state's busiest transport corridors.

Motorists reported slow-moving traffic and long delays after vehicles were diverted through the Lonavala-Khandala section. Traffic movement was further affected by waterlogging in parts of the ghat region, adding to commuter woes during the morning rush.

Officials said highway authorities and traffic police were closely monitoring the situation and assessing conditions near the landslide-hit stretch. Travellers have been advised to check traffic updates before setting out and allow extra travel time.

Meanwhile, the dangers posed by the ongoing spell of heavy rain were highlighted by another incident in Pune district.

A landslide struck a house in Patan village in Mawal taluka early Monday morning, raising fears that members of a family living inside may be trapped beneath the debris. Emergency teams were immediately mobilised after information about the incident reached authorities.

The 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Pune dispatched a 30-member rescue team equipped with specialised disaster-response gear. The team, led by Inspector Ravinder and operating under the supervision of Assistant Commandant Chandraketu Sharma, left for the site before dawn to begin search and rescue operations.

Rescue efforts were continuing at the time of reporting, and officials had not yet confirmed any casualties.

Weather-related incidents have become a major concern in the Western Ghats region during the monsoon season, particularly in areas with steep terrain and heavy runoff. Authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance and have urged residents in vulnerable locations, as well as commuters travelling through ghat sections, to remain alert.

With rain continuing across several districts, officials are expected to closely monitor landslide-prone zones and transport infrastructure in the coming days to prevent further loss of life and disruption.

With agency inputs