Bhubaneswar, Oct 29 Cyclone Arnab disrupted rail services on the Howrah–Chennai route, with nine trains cancelled and 14 others diverted on Thursday after the swollen Bahuda river crossed the danger mark at two bridges in Odisha’s Ganjam district, officials said.
The Vande Bharat Express connecting Bhubaneswar with Visakhapatnam, the Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and the Visakha Express, which runs between the Odisha capital and Secunderabad in Telangana, were among the major trains cancelled so far, according to the East Coast Railway.
It said that train services in the Ichchapuram–Jhadupudi section of Visakhapatnam Division have been affected due to water flowing above the danger level at two bridges on the route.
“Nine trains have been cancelled, and 14 others diverted to ensure passenger safety. Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation. Train services will be restored once the water level recedes and the section is declared safe for train operations,” an official said.
In another statement, the East Coast Railway said that 550 mm of rain brought by Cyclone Arnab in Ganjam district has led to a sharp rise in the water level of the Bahuda river.
The water level at Baghalati Dam on the Bahuda River crossed the danger mark following heavy rainfall. This led to a spike in the water levels of the river at railway bridges between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi, it said.
Officials said several precautionary measures have been taken to ensure passenger safety. Several trains on the Howrah–Chennai route have been diverted, they said.
With passengers stranded at different locations, the railways have made arrangements to provide them food and water. Additional manpower has been deployed to guide passengers, address their grievances and provide necessary assistance, the railways said.
(PTI News)
