Cyclone Montha Looms: East Coast Railway Cancels 32 Trains, Diverts One, and Short-Terminates Two in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for Passenger Safety

As Cyclone Montha intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has implemented sweeping precautionary measures, cancelling 32 passenger trains, diverting one, and short-terminating two others in the Waltair division and connected routes. These disruptions, affecting key lines in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, are aimed at safeguarding travelers amid forecasts of heavy rains, high winds, and potential flooding from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

ECoR officials described the actions as “purely precautionary” to prevent risks during the cyclone’s expected landfall near Visakhapatnam late Monday or early Tuesday. The storm, classified as a severe cyclonic storm, is projected to bring winds up to 90-100 kmph, triggering red alerts for coastal districts including Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram.

Cancelled Trains

The cancellations span express, passenger, and MEMU services, disrupting connectivity between Visakhapatnam, Kirandul, Koraput, Kakinada, and other hubs. Below is a comprehensive list:

Diversions and Short Terminations

• Diversion: Train No. 18189 Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express, departing Tatanagar on October 28, will be rerouted via Titlagarh Jn.–Lakholi–Raipur–Nagpur–Balharshah stations, bypassing cyclone-prone coastal tracks.
• Short Terminations:
  • Train No. 18447 Bhubaneswar–Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express (departing Bhubaneswar on October 27) will end its run at Rayagada.
  • Train No. 18107 Rourkela–Jagdalpur Intercity Express (departing Rourkela on October 27) will also terminate short at Rayagada.

ECoR’s Safety Protocols

To mitigate impacts and support affected passengers, ECoR has activated a multi-layered response plan:

1. 24/7 emergency control rooms at all divisional headquarters for real-time monitoring.
2. Ongoing liaison with IMD for weather updates and alerts.
3. Pre-positioned restoration teams and relief supplies (food, water, medical kits) at vulnerable stations.
4. Extra staff at critical points for crowd management and assistance.
5. Shelters and refreshments arranged at major hubs like Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.
6. Dedicated refund counters and helplines operational at key locations.

Railway authorities estimate thousands of passengers could be impacted, with full restorations expected post-cyclone clearance, potentially by October 29-30 depending on IMD advisories. Similar disruptions have been reported on South Central Railway lines, underscoring the cyclone’s regional threat.

Travelers are urged to verify train statuses via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), IRCTC app/website, or helpline numbers (139 for general queries, 182 for emergencies) before heading to stations. ECoR has promised swift refunds for cancelled tickets and alternative routing where feasible. As Montha advances, coastal residents are advised to follow local evacuation orders from state disaster management teams.