Cyclone Arnab has disrupted rail services on the Howrah–Chennai route after the swollen Bahuda river crossed the danger mark at two railway bridges in Odisha’s Ganjam district, prompting the cancellation of 36 trains, diversion of 30 and regulation or rescheduling of eight others.
The disruption followed heavy rainfall in the region and was ordered as a precautionary measure to protect passengers and railway infrastructure. The affected section lies between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi in the Visakhapatnam division, where water levels rose above the danger mark at two railway bridges.
The East Coast Railway cancelled 24 trains and diverted 22, while the South Coast Railway cancelled 12 trains and diverted eight others, officials said. Eight additional services were regulated or rescheduled because of the conditions on the route.
Among the cancelled services were the Vande Bharat Express between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam, the Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and the Visakha Express, which connects Bhubaneswar with Secunderabad in Telangana. The South Coast Railway also cancelled the Shalimar–Mangaluru Vivek Express, Shalimar–Vasco da Gama Express and Howrah–SMVT Bengaluru Express.
“Thirty-six trains have been cancelled, and 30 others diverted to ensure passenger safety. Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation. Train services will be restored once the water level recedes and the section is declared safe for train operations,” a railway official said.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the state government was in constant touch with the railways and had suggested that arrangements be made for affected passengers. The state also proposed using road transport for short-distance travellers wherever possible.
Rainwater was reported flowing over railway tracks in parts of Ganjam district, one of the areas affected by the cyclone. The East Coast Railway said around 550 mm of rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab in Ganjam had caused a sharp rise in the Bahuda river’s water level.
Railway operations on the affected section will resume only after the water level recedes and officials declare the railway bridges and track safe for train movement.
