Kerala floods update: From cancelled trains list to special trains, Indian Railways lends helping hand

Kerala floods update: NDRF, Indian Air Force and Navy are working round the clock to carry out rescue and relief work in the flood-hit Kerala. The death toll has crossed over 300 and around four lakh people are in over 3,000 relief camps. The floods have thrown daily life out of gear in the state. This has also resulted in the problem of drinking water besides other issues. To help ease the drinking water issue, Railways has taken a decision to send water in tanker wagons to Kayankulam Junction.

"From Pune Division of Central Railway, 29 tanker wagons (BTPN) (14 from Pune and 15 from Ratlam) loaded with clean drinking water have been moved from Pune. In Pune, 15 HP pump installed in quick time with temporary Pipelines laid to fill these wagons immediately. Fire brigade of Pune city too helped. 7 lakh litre of water filled in at Pune and 7.5 lakh litres of water filled in Ratlam after the water was successfully tested as potable," said Railways in a statement.

The public transporter is also running special trains to help evacuate stranded passengers. 

"Many specials are run between Ernakulam to Trivandrum via Alleppey as the route between Kayankulam via Kottayam to Ernakulam is suspended in view of floods and landslides. Ernakulam – Shoranur section via Aluva continue to remain suspended in view of damages of the track at various places. Trains are also run between Palakkad to various destinations to enable passengers to move daily. Kozhikkode and Tirur are cleared on war foot basis and efforts are on to restore Tirur – Kuttipuram section," said the Southern Railway.

Flood Relief Measures & Assistance to State Government and Stranded Passengers by Railways:

1)   To evacuate the stranded passengers 15 passenger special trains (10 in Palghat Division and 5 in Trivandrum Division) were operated on 17-8-18  and 21 passenger special trains (14 in Palghat Division and 7 in Trivandrum Division) on 18-8-18 were operated.

2)   2,580 cartons containing 30,960 one litre Rail Neer water bottles handed over to District Collector, Palakkad on 18-8-18 by Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad.

3)   All catering stalls are being kept opened round-the-clock to cater the needs of stranded passengers at major Railway stations. 

4) Liaisoned with Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for road bridging of passengers stranded at various stations including Palakkad, Kozhikode & Tirur Railway stations.

However, due to heavy rains, landslips, flash floods and closure of section between Shoranur – Kozhikkode in Palghat Division and Ernakulam – Kottayam – Kayamkulam section in Trivandrum Division, some trains have been diverted and some have been cancelled. Check the list below:

1) Train Traffic between Ernakulam - Kottayam - Kayankulam will be resumed partially from 06.00 hrs on 19th August and special trains will be operated under suitable speed restrictions as required.

 2) Train Traffic between Ernakulam and Shoranur and Shoranur - Ernakulam will remain suspended up to 16.00 hrs on 19th August 2018.

 3) Train Traffic between Trivandrum - Ernakulam (Via Alleppey) and Trivandrum - Tirunelveli (via Nagercoil) will be operated under suitable speed restrictions as required.

TRAINS FULLY CANCELLED

* Train No.12512 Trivandrum – Gorakhpur Express of 19th August

* Train No.16305 Ernakulam – Kannur Intercity Express of 19th August

* Train No.12202 Kochuveli – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express of 19th August

* Train No.16307 Alleppey – Kannur Intercity Express of 19th August

* Train No.12082 Trivandrum – Kannur Express of 19th August

* Train No.12515 Trivandrum – Silchar Express of 19th August

TRAINS PARTIALLY CANCELLED

* Train No.12617 Ernakulam – Nizamuddin Express of 19th August

* Train No.12677 KSR Bengaluru – Ernakulam Intercity Express of 19th August

* Train No.12678 Ernakulam – KSR Bengaluru Intercity Express of 19th August

 TRAINS DIVERTED

* Train No.16381 Mumbai CST – Kanniyakumari Express of 17th August will be diverted to run via Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil

* Train No.12626 New Delhi – Trivandrum Kerala Express of 16th August will be diverted to run via Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. 

* Train No.12644 Nizamuddin – Trivandrum Express of 16th August will be diverted to run via Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. 

*  Train No.12511 Gorakphur – Trivandrum Express of 17th August will be diverted to run via Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. 

* Train No.12625 Trivandrum – New Delhi Kerala Express of 19th August will be diverted to run via Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil. 

* Train No.16316 Kochuveli – KSR Bengaluru Express of 19th August will be diverted to run via Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul and Erode. 

*  Train No.12659 Nagercoil – Shalimar Express of 19th August will be diverted to run via Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul and Erode.