Due to continuous very heavy rainfall, in the Ghat section of the Hubballi Division of SWR, landslides have been reported at two locations: between Dudhsagar-Sonaulim Stations at about 6.10 AM and between Caranzol-Dudhsagar Stations at about 6.20 AM today.
The train no. 01134 Mangaluru Jn-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Express Spl (which was running on the diverted route via Madgaon-Londa-Miraj due to the overflow of the Vashishti River between Chiplun and Kamathe), suffered a derailment between the Dudhsagar-Sonaulim section. (1 GEN coach next to the engine and the engine partially derailed.) No passenger casualties have been reported (no injury/death). The passengers of the affected coach have been shifted to other coaches. The train is being pulled back to Kulem, and has crossed Sonaulim at this time.
Train no 02780 Hazrat Nizamuddin- Vasco da Gama Express Spl (which was bound for Vasco da Gama was detained in the section between Caranzol- Dudhsagar owing to the landslide, This train is being pulled back to Castle Rock.
An Accident Relief Train (ART) from Castle Rock as well as from Vasco da Gama were immediately despatched to the site, as per the standard protocol, to carry out restoration measures. SWR had already taken contingency measures prior to the start of the rainy season, at suitable stations for any exigency in the Ghat section during heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.
As part of the Monsoon Reserve, JCB, Hitachi and wagons loaded with boulders were kept ready at Castle Rock, Tinaighat and Kulem. The same has been pressed into service at the spot of the landslide along with a team of trained technicians to carry out the restoration of track/train services at the earliest.
The team of senior officials of the Hubballi Division, including Divisional Railway Manager Aravind Malkhede and senior officers from the HeadQuarters of SWR, have rushed to the site and are taking immediate measures to carry out the restoration. Precautionary measures to prevent further landslips at the site are also being taken.
There are 345 passengers on board train no. 01134 and 887 passengers on board train no. 02780. All are reported to be safe. Arrangements for the transhipment of passengers to buses will be made at a suitable location. For passengers of train no 02780, bus arrangements will be made at Londa towards destinations such as Vasco da Gama, Belagavi, and Hubballi by road. For the passengers of 01134, alternate transportation arrangements will be made from Madgaon/Mangaluru Jn based on feedback from passengers.
Arrangements for tea, snacks, and drinking water are made at Castle Rock Station and Kulem Station for the passengers of Train no 02780 and Train no 01134, respectively.
