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The South Central Railway (SCR) network in India is facing disruptions due to a significant breach in the railway tracks between Kesamudram and Intakanne railway stations in Mahabubabad district. Heavy rainfall in the intervening night of August 31st and September 1st caused floodwaters to wash away the earthen formation supporting the track near Intakanne, leading to a 80-meter gap in the railway infrastructure. The incident has caused significant disruption to train services on the busy Warangal-Khammam route, impacting a large number of passengers.
To address the situation, the SCR has mobilized a massive effort involving over 500 staff and heavy-duty earthmovers to expedite the restoration works. The SCR General Manager, Arun Kumar Jain, personally inspected the damaged track at Intakanne on September 2nd, overseeing the progress of the restoration work alongside railway engineers. The focus is on plugging the breach and restoring the track to operational condition as quickly as possible.
The SCR has reported the cancellation of 93 long-distance trains, the termination of 5 short-distance trains, and the diversion of 10 trains due to the track breach. While the restoration work is progressing at a brisk pace, the SCR has indicated that the track is expected to be fully restored by Tuesday, September 3rd, evening. Once completed, normal train services are expected to resume, alleviating the inconvenience faced by passengers due to the disruption.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of railway infrastructure to extreme weather events. With increasing incidences of heavy rainfall and flooding, the need for robust infrastructure and efficient disaster response measures becomes increasingly crucial. The SCR's swift response to the incident, deploying a large workforce and heavy machinery, signifies their commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of rail services in the region.