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Heavy rainfall and flooding in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana caused significant disruption to train services on Sunday, September 1, 2024, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The South Central Railway (SCR) reported that approximately 20 trains were halted at various stations between the two states as a result of overflowing streams and rivulets inundating railway tracks.
The SCR took immediate action to address the situation, prioritizing the safety of the stranded passengers. Vijayawada Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM), V. Rambabu, informed that the railway authorities shifted passengers to safe locations and arranged special trains to transport them to their intended destinations, including Chennai, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam. The Godavari, Charminar, and Tamilnadu Express trains were among those affected, experiencing delays or complete halts at stations like Kondapalli and Rayanapadu due to waterlogged tracks.
SCR Chief Public Relations Officer, A. Sridhar, explained that trains were stopped as a precautionary measure near areas like Kesamudram, Dornakal, and Khammam, where breaches and track inundation occurred due to flooding. The Vijayawada Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Narendra A. Patil, directed the evacuation of passengers from the affected trains, specifically the Godavari, Charminar, and Tamilnadu Express trains, to the Vijayawada railway station. The SCR ensured the safety of all stranded passengers and arranged APSRTC buses and tractors to assist in their relocation.
Passengers like Anantharam, who was stuck on the Tamilnadu Express at Rayanapadu railway station, expressed gratitude for the prompt response of the railway authorities. They praised the efficient arrangement of buses that ensured the safe transportation of stranded passengers. The railway officials also deployed cranes to rescue passengers trapped in two bogies submerged in floodwaters. To alleviate the discomfort of the stranded passengers, food, milk, and drinking water were provided at Rayanapadu, Kondapalli, and Vijayawada railway stations.
In addition to train disruptions, many other services were affected by the heavy rains and floods. Ms. Nusrath M. Mandrupkar, the SCR Vijayawada PRO, reported that numerous trains had to be cancelled or diverted as a result of the adverse weather conditions. The SCR emphasized its commitment to passenger safety and efficiently coordinated rescue and transportation efforts to ensure the well-being of those affected by the flood situation.