Heavy Rainfall In Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu impact Train Operations
Southern Railway taking concerted efforts in restoration of traffic and evacuation of stranded passengers at Srivakuntam Railway Station
Unprecedented rainfall had occurred in the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin during the 24 hours from 08:30 hours of 17-12-2023 to 08:30 hours of 18-12-2023 measuring in the range of 670 mm to 932 mm. This has impacted the train operation as track parameters have been breached on certain sections falling in these two districts and as result traffic has to be suspended. The details are laid out below:
· In the section between Talaiyuthu and Gangaikondan (7.71 kms) earth slip had occurred on the approach bank of a bridge in that section and ballast had also got washed away.
· Tirunelveli Station yard has got flooded due to overflowing of Nainarkulam tank.
· In Tuticorin station yard the water has risen one meter above the rail level due to abnormal rainfall
· In the section between Tattapparai and Milavittan (7.47 kms) the water has gone above danger level across nine bridges
· In the section between Srivaikuntam and Seydunganallur (12.16 kms) the ballast has got washed away.
Steps for Restoration:
The Engineering wing of the Railway in co-ordination with other departments is moving all the materials required for restoration and will keep them in readiness for early restoration of traffic in the above affected sections as soon as the rainfall reduces and water level recedes.
Restoration of traffic in the affected sections between Talaiyuthu and Gangaikondan of Tirunelveli – Madurai main line is expected to be restored by tomorrow evening. The restoration work in the branch lines of Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli, Maniyachchi and Tuticorin would resume after receding of water and complete assessment.
Measures for evacuation of Stranded passengers:
On account of suspension of traffic between Srivaikuntam and Seydunganallur, in the Tiruchendur – Tirunelveli Section, the Train no: 20606 Tiruchendur – Chennai Egmore Chendur Express, which had departed from Tiruchendur at 20:25 hours of 17-12-2023, was terminated at Srivaikuntam station, 33 kms from the Tiruchendur Station, at 21.19 hours.
There were around 800 passengers in that train. At 01.30 hrs on 18.12.23, with the assistance of District administration around 300 stranded passengers from thestationwere shifted to nearby Govt. School using 4 state transport buses and 2 mini vans for transport. Further transportation of 500 stranded passengers was not possible due to overflowing of bridge en-route.
NDRF team from Tuticorin was moved by road to Srivaikutam station, but they have been held up en-route due to heavy flooding and breaching of roads.
Southern Railway has reached out to both NDRF and State government officials to extend maximum assistance in evacuation of this passengers. Supply of food and water to all the stranded passengers remains the top priority now. Food packets have been supplied to 200 passengers in the school by the State Police. Also for 100 passengers stranded in the station food was provided by the local people..
Helicopter carrying 2 tonnes of relief materials left Sulur air base but could not make the drop due to adverse weather conditions, poor light and has now moved to Madurai. The helicopter will make its drop tomorrow morning at daybreak.
Every attempt is being made by Railways and State Government to access Srivaikuntam Railway Station with food, water and temporary lighting arrangements.
Railway administration is mobilizing adequate road vehicles for evacuation of these passengers tomorrow morning to the nearest railway station from where they will betaken by a convenient special train to Chennai.
Bulletin 2
Trains Fully Cancelled
19.12.2023
1. Train No. 16322 Coimbatore – Nagercoil Daily Express Special
18.12.2023
1. Train No. 06641 Nagercoil Junction – Tirunelveli Junction Express Special
2. Train No. 22628 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Tiruchchirappalli Junction Express
Trains Partially Cancellation:
1. Train No. 16127 Chennai Egmore – Guruvayur Express, leaving Chennai Egmore on 19.12.23, will be short terminated at Tiruchchirappalli Jn. The train will be partially cancelled between Tiruchchirappalli and Guruvayur.
2. Train No. 16128 Guruvayur – Chennai Egmore Express, leaving Guruavayur on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Nagercoil Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil Jn. and Chennai Egmore.
3. Train No. 20636 Kollam – Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express, scheduled to leave Kollam Jn. on 18.12.23, will commence service from Dindigul Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Kollam Jn. and Dindigul Jn.
4. Train No. 22667 Nagercoil – Coimbatore Superfast, scheduled to leave Nagercoil Jn. on 19.12.23, will commence service from Satur. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil and Satur.
5. Train No. 17236 Nagercoil – SMVT Bengaluru Mail, scheduled to leave Nagercoil Jn. on 19.12.23, will commence service from Virudhunagar. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil and Virudhunagar.
6. Train No. 22668 Coimbatore – Nagercoil Superfast Express, leaving Coimbatore Jn. on 18.12.2023, will be short terminated at Satur. The train is partially cancelled between Satur and Nagercoil.
7. Train No. 17235 SMVT Bengaluru – Nagercoil Mail, leaving SMVT Bengaluru on 18.12.23 will be short terminated at Virudhunagar. The train is partially cancelled between Virudhunagar and Nagercoil.
8. Train No. 16792 Palakkad – Tirunelveli Palaruvi Express, leaving Palakkad Jn. on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Tenkasi. The train is partially cancelled between Tenkasi and Tirunelveli.
9. Train No. 16729 Madurai – Punalur Express, scheduled to leave Madurai Jn. on 18.12.23, will commence service from Nagercoil Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Madurai and Nagercoil.
10. Train No. 16730 Punalur – Madurai Express, scheduled to leave Punalur on 18.12.23, will commence service from Vanchimaniyachchi. The train is partially cancelled between Punalur and Vanchimaniyachchi.
11. Train No. 06440 Kanniyakumari – Punalur Express Special, scheduled to leave Kanniyakumari on 18.12.23, will commence service from Nagercoil Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil.
12. Train No. 20692 Nagercoil – Tambaram Antyodaya Express, scheduled to leave Nagercoil Jn. on 18.12.23, will commence service from Tiruchchirappalli Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Nagercoil Jn. and Tiruchchirappalli.
13. Train No. 20691 Tambaram – Nagercoil Antyodaya Express, leaving Tambaram on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Virudhunagar. The train is partially cancelled between Virudhunagar and Nagercoil.
14. Train No. 22657 Tambaram – Nagercoil Superfast Express, leaving Tambaram on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Kovilpatti. The train is partially cancelled between Kovilpatti and Nagercoil.
15. Train No. 20635 Chennai Egmore – Kollam Anantapuri Express, leaving Chennai Egmore on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Kovilpatti. The train is partially cancelled between Kovilpatti and Kollam Jn.
16. Train No. 12633 Chennai Egmore – Kanniyakumari Superfast, leaving Chennai Egmore on 18.12.23, will be short terminated at Madurai Jn. The train is partially cancelled between Madurai and Kanniyakumari.
Trains Running On a Diverted Route.
1. Train No. 20635 Chennai Egmore – Kollam Anantapuri Express that left Chennai Egmore at 19.50 hrs on 17.12.2023 is diverted to run via Dindigul, Pollachi and Short terminated at Palakkad
2. Train No. 16353 Kacheguda- Nagercoil Weekly Express that left Kacheguda at 15.45 hrs on 17.12.2023 is diverted to run via Salem, Erode, Palakkad, Shoranur, Ernakulam North, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
3. Train No. 16340 Nagercoil Junction – Mumbai CSMT Express, scheduled to leave Nagercoil Jn. at 06.15 hrs. on 19.12.23 will be diverted between Nagercoil Jn. and Salem Jn. to run via Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kollam Jn.- Ernakulam Town- Palakkad Jn.-Erode Jn.
