Cyclone Michaung: 7 trains cancelled, helpline number issued in Odisha, informs East Coast Railway

Bhubaneswar: Anticipating the impending landfall of Cyclone Michaung in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, the East Coast Railway has issued helpline numbers and canceled seven trains. The cyclone is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday, December 4. Some parts of Odisha have already experienced light to moderate showers. “A high-level meeting was convened due to Cyclone Michaung. Everything is closely monitored. Patrolling is also underway and helpline numbers have been issued. So far, seven trains have been canceled due to this cyclone…,” CPRO of East Coast Railway Ashoka Kumar Mishra.

The IMD has issued yellow alert for five districts of Odisha: Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam. According to the weather department, rain is expected from 7am to 11am on Monday and the intensity of rain (orange alert) is likely to increase in these areas on December 5.

Cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ (pronounced Migjaum), located over the south-west and bordering the Westcentral Bay of Bengal, has shifted towards the north-west at a speed of 10 kmph for the past six hours from 5.30 am on Monday. The present position is about 110 km east-northeast of Chennai, 190 km southeast of Nellore, 210 km northeast of Puducherry, 310 km south-southeast of Bapatla and 330 km southeast of Machilipatnam.

Taking precautionary measures, Indian Railways decided to cancel 54 trains on Monday to prioritize passenger safety. It is important to note that these cancellations are initiated by the East Coast Railway (ECoR). The affected trains include express, mail, passenger and special trains originating in, terminating at or passing through the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

The Indian Railways has specified that these cancellations will be in effect from December 2 to December 7, 2023. Passengers are strongly advised to verify the running status of their trains before starting their journey.

Checklist of other canceled trains

Train No. 03357 Barauni-Coimbatore Weekly Express Special (via Ranchi) starting from December 2 remains cancelled.

Train No. 03358 Coimbatore-Barauni Weekly Express Special (Via Ranchi) starting from December 6 remains cancelled.

Train No. 13351 Dhanbad-Allapuzha Express starting on December 3 and a journey starting on December 4 remain cancelled.

Train No. 13352 Allapuzha-Dhanbad Express starting on December 6 and a journey starting on December 7, 2023 remains cancelled.