CYCLONE MONTHA IMPACT: EAST COAST RAILWAY CANCELS, DIVERTS MULTIPLE TRAINS FOR PASSENGER SAFETY

 Precautionary Step Amid Cyclone Threat

With Cyclone Montha approaching the east coast, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced extensive cancellations, diversions, and short terminations of several trains operating in the Waltair region and connected routes. The move aims to ensure maximum passenger safety in view of the severe weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Officials said these measures are “purely precautionary” and will remain in effect until weather conditions stabilize.

 List of Cancelled Trains

ECoR has cancelled 32 trains between October 27 and 29, 2025, due to the cyclone’s potential impact. These include major passenger, express, and MEMU services across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Key cancellations include:

1. 18515/18516 Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Night Express (Oct 27–28)

2. 58501/58502 Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Passenger (Oct 28)

3. 58538/58537 Visakhapatnam–Koraput Passenger (Oct 28)

4. 18512/18511 Visakhapatnam–Koraput Express (Oct 27–28)

5. 22875/22876 Visakhapatnam–Guntur Double Decker Uday Express (Oct 28)

6. 18526/18525 Visakhapatnam–Brahmapur Express (Oct 27–28)

7. 68433/68434 Cuttack–Gunupur MEMU (Oct 28–29)

8. 17015 Bhubaneswar–Secunderabad Express (Oct 28)

9. 20851 Bhubaneswar–Puducherry Weekly Express (Oct 28)

10. 18463 Bhubaneswar–Bengaluru Express (Oct 28)

A number of MEMU and Passenger trains on the Visakhapatnam–Palasa, Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram, and Gunupur routes have also been suspended.

 Train Diversion Announced

• Train No. 18189 Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express, leaving Tatanagar on October 28, 2025, will be diverted via Titlagarh–Lakholi–Raipur–Nagpur–Balharshah due to route disruption risks.

 Short Termination of Services

• 18447 Bhubaneswar–Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express (Oct 27) will be short terminated at Rayagada.
• 18107 Rourkela–Jagdalpur Intercity Express (Oct 27) will also terminate at Rayagada instead of Jagdalpur.

ECoR officials stated that these adjustments were necessary to prevent trains from entering vulnerable sections likely to be affected by the cyclone.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

East Coast Railway has activated full-scale safety and emergency measures to tackle the situation:

1. 24×7 Emergency Control Rooms operational at all Divisional Headquarters.

2. Real-time coordination with IMD for weather and wind updates.

3. Restoration teams and relief materials kept ready at vulnerable points.

4. Additional manpower deployed at key junctions for passenger assistance.

5. Food, water, and shelter arrangements made for stranded passengers at major stations.

6. Refund counters and help desks opened at major railway stations for passenger convenience.

 Passenger Advisory

Passengers are urged to check the latest train running status on the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), IRCTC website/app, or contact the nearest Railway Helpline before starting their journey.

ECoR has requested passengers to avoid unnecessary travel during the cyclone period and to stay updated through official channels only.