Amid heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the South Central Railway (SCR) has canceled 21 more trains and diverted 10 others due to waterlogging over tracks at several locations. The situation has caused significant inconvenience to passengers and disrupted daily life in the affected areas.
Key Takeaways
- 21 trains canceled and 10 diverted due to waterlogging.
- Heavy rains have damaged railway tracks between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad in Telangana.
- Passengers were moved to Kazipet Junction by road and transhipped by ‘scratch rakes.’
- Helpline numbers have been set up for passenger safety and convenience.
- Educational institutions in flood-affected areas have been closed.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all possible assistance from the Center.
- Local officials are working on restoring the railway tracks and ensuring passenger safety.
Train Cancellations and Diversions
The South Central Railway (SCR) has been forced to cancel 21 additional trains and divert 10 others due to severe waterlogging on the tracks. This comes after an earlier cancellation of over 20 trains and the diversion of more than 30. The heavy rains have also caused damage to the railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad in Telangana, further complicating the situation.
Passenger Assistance
Passengers affected by the train cancellations and diversions were transported to Kazipet Junction by road. From there, they were transhipped using two ‘scratch rakes,’ which are trains readied using spare coaches that mostly match the original train. To ensure the safety and convenience of passengers, the railways have set up helpline numbers in various locations, including Hyderabad, Warangal, Kazipet, and Khamman.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss the situation. He assured them of all possible assistance from the Center to help overcome the challenges posed by the heavy rains and floods. Telangana’s Transport and Backward Classes (BC) Welfare Minister Poonam Prabhakar has also assured passengers that the railway track will be restored as soon as the floodwaters recede and that train services will resume promptly.
Local Efforts
Local officials are actively working to restore normalcy. The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, conducted an on-site inspection of flood-affected areas in Errupalem Mandal in the Madhira Constituency of Khammam district. He assessed the situation and oversaw relief efforts to ensure that affected residents receive the necessary support.
Educational Institutions
In light of the severe flooding, educational institutions in the affected areas have been closed to ensure the safety of students and staff. This measure aims to minimize the risk and provide relief to families dealing with the impact of the floods.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring the weather and water levels to make informed decisions about further actions. Passengers and residents are advised to stay updated through official channels and helpline numbers.