Koraput: Train services between Rayagada and Visakhapatnam were severely disrupted today after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall damaged the rail tracks. The landslide, which occurred near the Maa Majhighariani temple in Rayagada city, deposited massive boulders and debris onto the tracks, rendering them impassable.
The railway authorities have confirmed that the damage has affected the rail traffic.
Upon being informed, senior railway officials, including Rayagada Divisional Railway Manager Amitabh Singhal, reached the spot and efforts are underway to repair the damaged tracks, and efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore normal services. In the meantime, trains will operate on a single line to minimize disruptions.
Additionally, a significant amount of mud and debris accumulated on the tracks. As a result, rail traffic on the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada route has been disrupted. The railway department has decided to operate trains on a single line to manage the situation.
Similarly, train services on Rayagada and Koraput route have been affected as the tracks were submerged in rainwater at several places including Liliguma and Bhalumaska.
Howrah-Jagadalpur Samaleswari Express was halted at Keutaguda due to severe waterlogging on the tracks.
Similarly, the Hirakhand Express train is stuck near Koraput station. It was scheduled to leave Bhubaneswar 3 hours behind schedule, and other train movements have been disrupted. The district emergency department has reported that Koraput district received 402 mm of rainfall between 2 pm and 5 pm on Thursday.
Besides, the Railways have cancelled the Night Express train from Chhattisgarh’s Kirandul to Visakhapatnam and the Express train from Visakhapatnam to Kirandul for Thursday.
