In the wake of Cyclone Montha’s landfall, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced the cancellation of two key passenger trains connecting Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana due to non-availability of rakes and continuing network disruptions along the coastal corridor.
According to an official ECoR release, Train No. 22204 Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam, scheduled to depart on October 29, and Train No. 12703 Howrah–Secunderabad, set to run on October 30, have both been cancelled.
Railway officials attributed the cancellations to severe weather-related disruptions and rake unavailability, stating that several train sets were stranded or rescheduled due to precautionary measures implemented during the cyclone. Restoration teams are currently clearing debris, inspecting tracks, and normalising train movements across affected divisions.
61 Train Cancellations Since Cyclone Montha’s Impact
In coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and disaster management authorities, Indian Railways implemented widespread cancellations, diversions, and rescheduling to ensure passenger safety.
Between October 27 and 30, a total of 61 trains were cancelled:
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4 on October 27
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48 on October 28
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8 on October 29
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1 on October 30
Among the key services affected were:
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07166 Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad Special
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17479 Puri–Tirupati Express
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18464 Bengaluru–Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express
Additionally, nine trains were short-terminated or short-originated, six diverted, and nine rescheduled to alternate routes.
Cyclone Montha Weakens but Coastal Disruptions Persist
The IMD reported on Wednesday morning that Cyclonic Storm Montha over coastal Andhra Pradesh had weakened into a deep depression and was expected to lose further intensity while moving inland toward Telangana and southern Odisha.
Although large-scale destruction has not been reported, persistent rainfall continues to cause localised flooding and power outages across East and West Godavari districts. Uprooted trees and damaged overhead power and signal lines have hampered road and rail connectivity, delaying restoration work.
Authorities have deployed disaster management teams and technical experts to expedite repair efforts, while passengers have been urged to stay updated through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) and official Railways communication channels.
Disclaimer: Passengers are advised to verify real-time train status through official railway sources before planning or commencing their journey.
