ECoR Cancels Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam & Howrah–Secunderabad Trains
Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: In the wake of Cyclone Montha’s landfall near Narasapur, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled two major long-distance trains connecting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. The cancellations—announced via an official notification—affect:
- Train No. 22204 Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam (scheduled for Oct 29)
- Train No. 12703 Howrah–Secunderabad (scheduled for Oct 30)
Railway officials cited operational constraints and safety concerns, as train rakes were stranded or rescheduled due to precautionary cyclone protocols.
Restoration Efforts Underway
ECoR teams are actively inspecting tracks, bridges, and overhead wires across affected divisions. Debris clearance and infrastructure repairs are ongoing to restore normal operations.
Widespread Disruptions
Between October 27 and 30, Indian Railways cancelled 61 trains in coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and disaster management authorities. The breakdown:
- Oct 27: 4 trains
- Oct 28: 48 trains
- Oct 29: 8 trains
- Oct 30: 1 train
Popular services impacted include the Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad Special, Puri–Tirupati Express, and Bengaluru–Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express. Additionally, nine trains were short-terminated or short-originated, six diverted, and nine rescheduled due to flooding and track damage.
Cyclone Weakens, But Rains Persist
IMD reports that Cyclone Montha has weakened into a deep depression as it moves inland toward Telangana and southern Odisha. While large-scale destruction has not been reported, continuous rainfall has triggered localised flooding, power outages, and transport disruptions in East and West Godavari districts.
Advisory for Passengers
Authorities urge travellers to check real-time updates via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the ECoR website before planning journeys.
