Video clips showed the train surrounded by water for many miles and no rail track was visible.

'500 plus people 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,' the CMO said in a tweet.

Seven navy teams, two IAF helicopters, two military columns and local administration teams have been sent out, it said. Two more military columns were on the way, the CMO said.

Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai spoke to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured him that all central assistance will be provided to the state.

Some estimates say that 2,000 people were on the train when the Mumbai-Kolhapur express got stuck near Vangani. WHen the train left Mumbai, there were 700 on board.

The NDRF, navy, air force, Railway Protection Force and local authorities have started rescueing the passengers together.

The National Disaster Response Force has rescued over 500 passengers, among them nine pregnant women, who were trapped in the Mahalaxmi Express that is stuck on waterlogged tracks in Thane district since late last night.

The details on the number of persons rescued were shared by the Maharashtra chief minister's office.