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Hyderabad, Oct 27 (IANS) The South Central Railway on Monday announced the cancellation of 72 trains in the wake of Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on Tuesday.
As the cyclone is likely to affect several places in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha, the South Central Railway (SCR) has canceled trains scheduled for October 28 and 29.
Cyclone Montha is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kakinada as a severe cyclonic storm with high wind speeds around the evening of October 18.
In view of the forecast of heavy rains and strong winds in the coastal areas from 27 to 29 October, passengers have been advised to travel only when necessary.
The canceled trains include Vijayawada-Bhimavaram, Nidadavolu-Bhimavaram, Bhimavaram-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Rajamundry, Guntur-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Kakinada Port, Kakinada Port-Rajamundry, Vijayawada-Tenali, Tenali-Repalle, Repalle-Guntur, Guntur-Tenali. Repalle-Markapur Road, Markapur Road-Tenali, Vijayawada-Machilipatnam, Machilipatnam-Gudivada, Machilipatnam-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Narsapur, Narsapur-Rajamundry, Vijayawada-Ongole, Bhimavaram-Narsapur, Narsapur-Guntur, Vijayawada-Macherla, Rajahmundry-Vishakhapatnam, Rajahmundry-Bhimavaram, Kakinada Port-Visakhapatnam, Tirupati-Visakhapatnam, Visakhapatnam-Guntur, Machilipatnam-Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mahabubnagar-Visakhapatnam, Chennai Central-Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam.
East Coast Railway has already announced cancellation of 43 trains in view of the cyclone.
Meanwhile, South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava visited Vijayawada on Monday and took stock of the preparations.
Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, Mohit Sonakiya informed the General Manager about the steps being taken to deal with Cyclone Montha.
The General Manager directed heads of all departments – operating, engineering, electrical, mechanical, commercial and medical – to remain on high alert to ensure the safety of passengers, staff and railway assets.
SCR said control rooms are being set up both at divisional level and headquarters level and officers and observers are deployed round the clock to closely monitor train operations, bridge conditions and water levels at sensitive locations.
Additional General Manager Satya Prakash held a preparatory meeting with key department heads at SCR Headquarters, Rail Nilayam. He directed the officers to remain on high alert to respond as per the need of the situation.
He advised setting up a war room to monitor cyclone impacts from time to time at zonal and divisional levels. Patrol teams have been deployed to monitor tracks, bridges and other critical infrastructure. Monsoon reserves including man, material and machinery are ready to be mobilized in case of any emergency.
Diesel locomotives and Mobile Rescue Teams (MRT) have been strategically deployed to ensure continuity of essential operations even in the event of traction failure. Passenger safety and convenience are being given priority. Adequate supply of food and water has been ensured at catering units and railway stations. Medical teams, ambulances and first aid centers are ready to respond immediately to any situation.
Close coordination and liaison is being maintained with Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) to facilitate real-time updates and joint responses.
Help desks and 24×7 PRS refund counters have been set up at major stations including Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada Town, Bhimavaram and Tenali.
–IANS
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