Cyclone Montha: Railways Gears Up for Impact on India's East Coast

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has overseen preparations by the railways in response to Cyclone Montha, which is set to impact Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Railways are enacting precautionary measures across key divisions, ensuring readiness of materials, resources, and emergency response to minimize disruptions.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the railways' preparedness for Cyclone Montha, anticipating its impact on the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana on Tuesday.

Vaishnaw instructed the affected railway zones to implement precautionary measures as the cyclone approaches India's east coast. Essential preparations include the activation of divisional war rooms and the readiness of materials, machinery, and manpower, with a focus on Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur divisions. Monitoring train operations is crucial to minimize passenger inconvenience.

Underlining the urgency, the NDRF warned the cyclone is "very likely" to hit between Machilipatnam and Kanagaratnam near Kakinada on October 28. As the cyclone intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, with winds of 90-100 kmph, East Coast, South Coast and South Central railway zones have been tasked to mobilize resources for a rapid emergency response.