Jammu floods force 16 train cancellations, disrupt travel across Punjab
Severe floods triggered by relentless rainfall in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have paralysed train operations across key northern corridors, leading to large-scale cancellations and diversions. Railway authorities confirmed that at least 16 trains were cancelled and 10 others were short-terminated, while several premium services including the Vande Bharat Express had to be rerouted.
The disruption comes at a time when railways remain the lifeline for both passenger movement and freight supply chains in the region. With large stretches of track submerged, especially along the Pathankot Cantt–Kandrori section, officials said that ensuring safety of tracks was the priority before restoring services. In the interim, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express and the Jammu Tawi–Sabarmati Express were diverted through an alternative route via Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Beas and Jalandhar, bypassing smaller junctions such as Mukerian and Dasuya.
Flood-affected areas in Punjab have witnessed massive waterlogging, disrupting not only mobility but also placing additional strain on local communities that rely on timely transportation for essential goods. Railway officials said that emergency teams have been deployed to assess track stability and drainage. However, the extent of flooding indicates that full restoration could take several days.Analysts warn that such repeated monsoon disruptions highlight a deeper challenge for India’s transport resilience. As climate change drives extreme rainfall events with increasing frequency, railway infrastructure faces heightened vulnerability. Experts in rail planning argue that future-proofing tracks through elevated corridors, eco-friendly drainage systems and climate-resilient design must be accelerated to safeguard essential services.
While short-term inconvenience to passengers is significant, the broader economic implications are more concerning. Punjab and Jammu Kashmir serve as critical agricultural and defence corridors, and supply disruptions can ripple far beyond the region. Freight trains carrying food grains, industrial goods and essential commodities are likely to experience bottlenecks until full services resume.Railway authorities reiterated that safety remains paramount and restoration work is in progress. Officials also noted that relief measures are being coordinated with state agencies to ensure essential supplies reach affected regions.For passengers, the cancellations are a reminder of the vulnerabilities that even modern rail systems face under the pressure of erratic monsoons. For planners, the crisis underscores the urgency of building infrastructure that is not only fast and efficient but also sustainable, equitable and resilient against future climate risks.
