Two NDRF teams were sent to Mahad. Traffic on Mumbai-Goa highway was disrupted and smaller vehicles were diverted via Mangaon and two other routes.

Twenty-two people — 18 passengers, two drivers and two conductors, are feared killed as the two State transport buses in which they were travelling were washed away when a bridge linking Mahad and Poladpur on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad district in Konkan collapsed in heavy rain in the early hours of Wednesday.

The State transport department has appealed to the relatives of missing passengers to contact on helpline number (02141) 222118 and toll free nunber 1077.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed a Chetak helicopter and a Sea King 42C all-weather aircraft with a diving team for a search operation. The ICG is also diverting another Sea King 42B helicopter to help with the mission, a defence spokesperson said.

National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel have also been deployed for the search operation. Two 40-member NDRF contingents have been rushed to Mahad. Traffic on the Mumbai-Goa highway was disrupted and smaller vehicles were diverted via Mangaon and two other routes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and offered all assistance in the rescue and search operation.

Hon PM >@narendramodi spoke to Maharashtra CM >@Dev_Fadnavis & took all details of Mahad incidence.

/1 — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) >August 3, 2016

PM >@narendramodi offered all help in rescue and relief operations.

NDRF teams are already activated. >@NDRFHQ

/2 — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) >August 3, 2016

2 buses of state transport with 18 passengers, 2 drivers and 2 conductors ( total 22 ) people go missing in Mahad tragedy. — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) >August 3, 2016

Ealier, Mr. Fadnavis, who was informed of the tragedy at 2 a.m., spoke to Raigad District Collector Sheetal Ugale and Superintendent of Police Suvez Haque and instructed the adminstration to take immediate rescue and relief measures.

"There were 2 parallel bridges — one is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era. The old one got collapsed," he tweeted at 2.30 a.m.

"The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of the Savitri river due to heavy rain in the catchment of Mahabaleshwar," he said.

Spoke to Raigad SP & Collector about bridge collapse on Mumbai-Goa highway.

Administration has rushed to spot for rescue&immediate measures. — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) >August 2, 2016

Spoke to Raigad SP & Collector about bridge collapse on Mumbai-Goa highway.

Administration has rushed to spot for rescue&immediate measures. — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) >August 2, 2016

Traffic on highway is stopped. Administration is ascertaining strength & stability of new bridge.

Once confirmed, traffic will be resumed. — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) >August 2, 2016

"Traffic on highway is stopped. Administration is ascertaining strength & stability of new bridge. Once confirmed, traffic will be resumed," he wrote adding "There is no confirmed assessment about casualties since the area is very dark. Administration will ensure speedy rescue & relief operations."

The Metereological Department had warned of heavy to very rainfall in Nashik in north Mahararashtra and coastal areas from Raigad to Sindhurdurg in Konkan over the next 24 hours.

A 40-member team of the NDRF with five boats was rushed to Nashik on Tuesday evening after the Godavari levels rose dramatically due to heavy rain and release of water from the overflowing dams.

PTI adds:

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that two helicopters have also been deployed and the Centre was giving all possible help to the state administration in the rescue efforts.

“What happened is very painful and unfortunate. It happened at around 11.30 pm. Two passenger buses and four other vehicles are feared to have been washed away in the river,” he said.

Mr. Singh made the statement after Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena) raised the issue, saying the incident happened as the bridge remained operational even though it was considered unsafe and another bridge over the river was constructed by the State government.

Mr. Raut asked the government to present a report about such bridges and ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur.