Cyclone Arnab Chaos: Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Train Services Halted
Heavy flooding caused by Cyclone Arnab has led to the suspension of trains on the Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar route. Find out more about the diversions.
Travel plans between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar have been thrown into turmoil as the South Coast Railway (SCoR) was forced to suspend train operations on the mainline. This drastic measure follows severe flooding triggered by Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar train suspension concerns after Cyclone Arnab brought relentless rainfall to the region and its upper catchment areas.
Flooding at Bridge 1052 Triggers Shutdown
The crisis centered around bridge number 1052, located between the Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi stations. According to Y Balaji Kiran, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Coast Railway, water levels began rising rapidly beneath the bridge early in the morning. The surge of floodwater, a direct result of the cyclone's impact and heavy rains, made it unsafe for trains to traverse the section.
To ensure passenger safety, the railway administration suspended all services starting from 3:25 am. The impact on the schedule has been significant:
- Cancellations: Approximately nine short-distance trains have been cancelled.
- Diversions: Around 16 train services have been diverted to alternative routes.
War Room Operations and Monitoring
The South Coast Railway has not been caught off guard. A 24/7 war room has been operational for the last three days at both the SCoR Headquarters and all divisional headquarters to manage the crisis and coordinate passenger traffic.
"We are ensuring that all passenger amenities in the station. We have been continuously running a 24/7 war room... for the last three days," stated CPRO Y Balaji Kiran.
The Road to Restoration
While the weather has caused significant disruption, officials report that the railway infrastructure remains largely intact. There has been no major damage reported to the assets so far. However, the resumption of services is strictly contingent on safety inspections.
Key Steps for Resuming Traffic:
- Water Recession: Officials are waiting for the floodwaters at bridge number 1052 to recede.
- On-Site Inspection: Field engineers and senior officials are already stationed on-site, ready to inspect the tracks immediately.
- Inter-State Coordination: The railway team is working in close contact with the water resource ministries of both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Maintenance: Any minor repairs or maintenance required after the flooding will be addressed before the first train is cleared to pass.
The entire operation is being carried out under the guidance of the Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, with a primary focus on passenger safety.
Weather Update: From Cyclone to Depression
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh on October 28, has since weakened. It has now transitioned into a depression over Chhattisgarh. Despite the weakening of the cyclone, the IMD has warned that heavy rainfall is still expected in Odisha, which may continue to challenge restoration efforts.