India Braces for Cyclone Montha's Impact: Railways on High Alert

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw alerts railways for Cyclone Montha's east coast impact, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Precautionary measures are underway with proactive steps for swift action and restoration. State officials coordinate for preparedness, as NDRF pre-deploys teams across affected regions to ensure public safety.

The Indian railways are on high alert as Cyclone Montha approaches the east coast, impacting states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has instructed railway officials from the East Coast and South-Central Railway zones to remain vigilant and prepare for rapid restoration of train services post-cyclone impact.

The Union Minister conducted a thorough review of measures for passenger safety, train regulation, and restoration planning while ensuring coordination with local administrations and disaster management authorities. Key actions include activating divisional war rooms and preparing essential resources and manpower in key divisions such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Guntur.

Amid intensified train operation monitoring to reduce passenger inconvenience, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and other state officials reviewed the cyclone's impact via the Real-Time Governance System. The IMD reports Cyclone Montha's trajectory over the Bay of Bengal, with the National Disaster Response Force pre-deploying teams across vulnerable districts for emergency response.

In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assessed the readiness of the state to tackle Montha, hosting a high-level meeting with top officials at Bhubaneswar's Lok Seva Bhavan. District Collectors joined virtually to discuss preparedness for an impending weather onslaught.

(With inputs from agencies.)