The authorities have blamed flash floods for weakening the rail bridge in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, where two trains derailed on Tuesday night. Closer home, in Mumbai, railway officials are viewing the incident as a warning for rail bridges here that are at similar risk, especially due to rampant sand mining.

The Central and Western Railways are a worried lot, and officials have complained to the state government about sand mafia carrying out illegal dredging activity at Vaitarna river and Ulhas creek, compromising the structural integrity of the rail bridges there.