Train Cancelled: A powerful cyclone named ‘Arnab’ is forming over the Bay of Bengal. In response, Indian Railways is actively preparing for its impact. The South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone has made the difficult decision to cancel 53 local and express trains scheduled for October 27 and 28 to minimize potential damage.
India Railways Cancelled 53 Trains
SCoR General Manager Sandeep Mathur has thoroughly examined all safety protocols, emergency response plans, and passenger support systems in place. A round-the-clock war room has been established at South Coast Railway’s Zonal Headquarters. With heavy rainfall and powerful winds expected from Cyclone ‘Arnab’, General Manager Sandeep Mathur has carefully assessed all precautionary steps and disaster management readiness throughout the zone to protect passengers, railway employees, and train services. A coordination meeting was conducted with the Divisional Railway Managers and Principal Heads of Department from all four divisions.
Continuous monitoring of critical railway infrastructure, tracks, yards and signalling systems
South Coast Railway is maintaining constant surveillance of at-risk railway bridges, tracks, yards, and signaling equipment. Priority is being given to clearing silt, plant growth, and waste from drainage systems and water channels to avoid flooding. Staff members have been stationed at high-risk areas, and sufficient reserves of emergency maintenance supplies have been stockpiled.
24×7 War Rooms established at Zonal Headquarters and Division Headquarters
The General Manager has instructed team members to stay in close contact with state government representatives and regularly review weather updates from the Meteorological Department.
24×7 war rooms have been established at South Coast Railway’s zonal and divisional headquarters for immediate response and better coordination in case of emergencies. Passenger assistance and security arrangements have also been strengthened.
Additional counters will be opened to facilitate ticket refunds
Help desks are being set up at major stations to provide timely information. In addition, additional counters will be opened to facilitate ticket refunds in case of train cancellations. Catering units have been instructed to maintain adequate food and beverage stocks, and arrangements for alternate power supplies have been ensured. Medical teams, first aid facilities, and ambulances are on standby to provide 24-hour emergency assistance.
Railway crew kept on standby to run special trains
The South Coast Railway has alerted civil defense personnel and Scouts and Guides volunteers. Railway crews have also been placed on standby to operate special trains if needed. Emergency response teams have also been prepared to provide assistance to affected areas if needed.
It is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had reported on Saturday that the low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal has deepened into a depression and is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27. According to the Meteorological Department, at 05:30 pm on Saturday, the depression was centered over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.
According to the IMD, the storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27. It is expected to move northwestwards and intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm.