Five thousand jawans of the armed forces have been deployed on Wednesday for rescue and relief work in Mumbai. The city has been battered by incessant rains since Tuesday.

• Highest-ever rain in India's history

"Apart from the army, air force and navy jawans deployed, two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force have been called in from Pune to help in the relief work in Mumbai suburbs," state government sources said in Mumbai.

Army jawans have also been rushed to Badlapur, Ambarnath, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan and Dombivli areas in neighbouring Thane district to help in relief work, the sources said.

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The state government's preliminary estimates suggest that property worth Rs 500 crore has been damaged in the heavy rains, the sources added.

More than 10,000 people stuck in deep waters in many areas of the city have been evacuated to safer places, they said adding, arrangements have also been made for temporary accommodation of stranded commuters.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who is supervising the relief and rescue operations, said arrangements have been made to evacuate school children held back in schools since Tuesday. "Parents need not worry on this count," he added.

Arrangements have also been made to provide drinking water to commuters stranded at various suburban railway stations, the sources said.

The state government has declared a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts, which are worst-affected by the heavy rains, the sources said.