SECUNDERABAD, OCT.27 : South Central Railway (SCR) has issued an urgent passenger advisory and put its disaster management machinery on high alert as Cyclone ‘Arnab’ intensifies, threatening heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The severe cyclonic storm is projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, bringing severe weather conditions that could disrupt train operations and rail schedules across affected routes.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, and Mahabubabad districts, while warning of heavy downpours in Warangal, Hanumakonda, Suryapet, and Nalgonda. In response to these warnings, General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava chaired a high-level safety review meeting with Secunderabad Divisional Railway Manager Dr. R. Gopalakrishnan and other senior officials to evaluate emergency preparedness, vulnerable bridges, and track patrol deployments.
During the review, authorities inspected the positioning of Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment Vans (ARMETs) equipped with boulders, sandbags, and ballast rakes at key strategic locations like Kazipet and Dornakal. General Manager Srivastava directed all departmental heads—spanning operating, engineering, electrical, mechanical, commercial, and medical divisions—to maintain strict vigilance, monitor bridge water levels around the clock, and ensure foolproof safety for passengers, staff, and railway assets.
SCR officials announced that train services in the affected sections may face cancellations, partial suspensions, or diversions depending on real-time weather severity. Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys carefully and verify train running status through official platforms such as the NTES app, IRCTC portals, the Rail One application, or by dialing the 139 inquiry helpline. Real-time updates will also be disseminated via print media, television broadcasts, and the official social media handles of South Central Railway, including X (@SCRailwayIndia) and Facebook.
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