Floods disrupt major train routes in southern India
by Bhagyashree BarmanHeavy rains have triggered severe flooding in southern India’s Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leading to widespread disruptions in train services.
The incident took place on the Vijayawada-Warangal route on September 1.
Visuals showed the damaged railway tracks and poles amidst the floodwaters looking miserable and unusable.
According to reports, the Erravagu stream overflowed, submerging tracks near Rayanapadu railway station and halting all train movements between Vijayawada and Khammam. In Mahabubabad district, the situation is even more critical, with tracks damaged by overflowing water and a breached tank in Ayodhya village.
As a result, the South Central Railway has canceled 30 trains and stopped 24 others, with additional trains diverted to ensure passenger safety. Key express services like Simhadri, Machilipatnam, Gautami, and Sanghamitra were halted at various stations due to the flooding. In some locations, water reportedly flowed above the tracks, further complicating rescue and repair efforts.
The railway authorities have set up additional helpline numbers to assist passengers with real-time updates on train schedules. Despite the efforts, the situation remains dire, with heavy rainfall predicted to continue impacting the region.