Andhra Pradesh [India]: South Central Railway (SCR) has cancelled 11 trains as a precautionary measure ahead of Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, officials said on Tuesday.
In a statement, SCR said 10 trains scheduled to begin their journeys on October 27 and one scheduled for October 28 had been cancelled to ensure passenger safety.
The cancelled services include the Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Superfast Express, Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar New Visakha Express, Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam Godavari Superfast Express, Mahabubnagar-Visakhapatnam Superfast Express, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garib Rath Superfast Express, Lingampalli-Kakinada Town Cocanada Superfast Express, Lingampalli-Narsapur Express, Lingampalli-Kakinada Port Gowthami Superfast Express, Hazur Sahib Nanded-Sambalpur Nagavalli Superfast Express, Charlapalli-Srikakulam Road Special and Srikakulam Road-Charlapalli Special.
The Nagarsol-Narsapur train has been partially cancelled between Charlapalli and Narsapur, while the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express scheduled to depart from Howrah on October 29 has also been cancelled.
Separately, South Coast Railway has announced the cancellation of 61 trains in view of the approaching cyclone.
SCR said the intensifying weather system could disrupt railway operations across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and adjoining regions, prompting further cancellations, diversions or rescheduling depending on weather conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, during the forenoon of October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Telangana’s Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu and Mahabubabad districts for October 28. Heavy rainfall is also forecast in Warangal, Hanumakonda, Suryapet and Nalgonda on October 28 and 29.
In view of the forecast, railway authorities have warned that additional train services operating through affected sections may be cancelled, diverted or rescheduled.
Meanwhile, SCR General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava reviewed safety measures and operational preparedness with Secunderabad Divisional Railway Manager Dr R. Gopalakrishnan and other senior officials.
During the meeting, Srivastava assessed vulnerable railway sections and bridges, patrolling arrangements, deployment of patrolmen and watchmen, and water levels at critical locations.
He also reviewed the availability and positioning of boulder, sandbag and ballast rakes, along with Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARMEs) at Kazipet and Dornakal.
The General Manager directed all departmental heads to remain on high alert to safeguard passengers, railway personnel and infrastructure.
Senior officers and supervisors at divisional and headquarters levels are closely monitoring train movements, bridge conditions and water levels at vulnerable locations.
Railway authorities have advised passengers to plan their journeys carefully in view of the prevailing weather conditions and possible disruptions.
SCR said updates regarding cancellations, diversions and rescheduling would be communicated to passengers through SMS alerts sent to the mobile numbers provided during reserved ticket bookings.
[DD News]