Heavy rainfall has caused significant disruptions on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old highway, leading to traffic suspension.

PUNE/MUMBAI: Traffic on both the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old Pune-Mumbai highway was suspended on Monday after incessant rain triggered flooding, waterlogging and a landslide, severely disrupting connectivity between the two cities.Authorities urged commuters to avoid all non-essential travel until further orders, citing safety concerns. In a public advisory, police said traffic in both directions on the expressway and the old highway would remain suspended until the situation improves.“Citizens are requested not to undertake any journey between Pune and Mumbai until further directions are issued. Those planning to travel are advised to postpone their journey and follow traffic advisories issued by government agencies,” the advisory said.Police said flood-like conditions had developed in parts of Maval and Tamhini Ghat, affecting alternate routes as well.The Pune-Mumbai Expressway was shut between the Connecting Link and Missing Link sections after a concrete pillar fell onto the carriageway following a landslide. The old Pune-Mumbai highway was also closed after overflowing water inundated multiple stretches.A landslide was also reported near Patan village close to Lohgad Fort, where a family was feared trapped. Rescue teams were rushed to the spot.With heavy rain continuing to lash the district, the Pune administration declared a holiday for all schools on Monday.Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway of the 13-km Missing Link alignment had been diverted from around 4 am after a landslide near the exit of Tunnel 2. The Missing Link, inaugurated two months ago, bypasses the Khandala Ghat section, reducing the travel distance by about 6 km and saving 25-30 minutes.MSRDC said it was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and advised motorists to avoid travelling on the route unless absolutely necessary.The closure left hundreds of commuters stranded. A motorist travelling from Sangli to Mumbai said he had been stuck near Lonavala since around 4 am after Mumbai-bound traffic was diverted from the Missing Link.“As the Missing Link was closed, we came via Lonavala and are now caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Expressway through the town,” he said.The Highway Traffic Police control room said waterlogging and landslide-related disruptions in the Khandala Ghat section continued to hamper traffic movement, with restoration dependent on weather conditions and debris clearance.