Railways on High Alert as Cyclone Montha Approaches East Coast

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has reassessed the Indian Railways' readiness for Cyclone Montha impacting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Precautionary steps include activation of divisional war rooms, resource mobilization, and coordination with disaster management agencies to ensure passenger safety and continuity of operations.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has taken charge of ensuring that the Indian railway system is prepared for the upcoming Cyclone Montha. The cyclone is expected to hit the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana on Tuesday.

An official statement mentioned that Vaishnaw instructed the concerned railway zones to undertake preventive measures to mitigate the cyclone's effects on the eastern coast of India. Discussions covered critical action points such as activating divisional war rooms and preparing essential materials and manpower.

Key railway divisions in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur are on standby with resources for emergency response. Measures to ensure passenger safety, regulate trains, and plan restoration were emphasized, with a mandate for continuous communication and swift service restoration. The South Central zone has prioritized passenger safety by canceling and rescheduling trains, while ensuring medical readiness and adequate supplies at stations.

(With inputs from agencies.)