Railways Prepare for Severe Cyclone ‘Dana’ Impacting Odisha & West Bengal

The Minister stressed the need for maximum readiness while ensuring minimal disruption to passenger services.

In response to the impending severe cyclone ‘Dana’ expected to strike the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, a high-level meeting convened in the Ministry of Railways to assess and enhance preparedness measures. The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Railways Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw, included the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Board Members, General Managers of East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway, as well as Divisional Railway Managers from key areas.

The Minister stressed the need for maximum readiness while ensuring minimal disruption to passenger services.

War Rooms and Emergency Control Centers:

Nine dedicated War Rooms will be established at strategic locations including Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. These War Rooms will be staffed by officers from Engineering, S&T, Operations, Commercial, and RPF departments to facilitate prompt decision-making and restore services efficiently.

Emergency control rooms equipped with 20 satellite phones for uninterrupted communication will ensure constant contact with the India Meteorological Department for real-time updates.

Restoration Teams and Equipment:

Specialized teams are ready to swiftly restore tracks, signaling systems, and electrification, particularly in critical areas such as Soro and Jaleswar.

Diesel locomotives are on standby to maintain train operations during potential power outages.

Personnel and Resource Deployment:

Over 600 staff members are deployed at strategic locations, including Bhojudih, Bokaro Steel City, and Balasore, with adequate supplies of restoration materials such as boulders, ballast, and sand.

Relief vans and heavy machinery are on standby, with scratch rakes assembled for transporting relief materials as needed.

Monitoring and Safety Measures:

Stations along the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam corridor are under close observation due to a Red Alert for coastal areas, with nearby divisions like Chakradharpur and Adra on high alert.

Continuous monitoring of railway infrastructure is planned, including clearing drains of obstructions to prevent flooding.

Evacuation and Communication Plans:

Standby vehicles with drivers are arranged at key locations to assist in passenger evacuations.

DG power systems are planned as an alternative power source across several sections, and de-watering pumps will be deployed at stations prone to flooding.

Major stations will see the removal of large hoardings and billboards as a safety precaution.

Train Services Management:

Train services will be regulated based on wind speed, with cancellations, diversions, or short-term terminations issued as necessary for passenger safety. Updates will be shared through official railway bulletins, and passengers are urged to stay informed via official channels.

Help Desks and Medical Preparedness:

Help Desks will be set up at important stations with dedicated phone lines for passenger inquiries. Frequent announcements will keep passengers informed.

Medical teams, equipped with essential supplies including chlorine tablets and medicines, will be stationed at Mecheda, Tamluk, Kharagpur, and Balasore to address emergencies.

Food and Water Arrangements:

Adequate food supplies, including baby food, will be arranged at major stations to cater to any trains affected by the cyclone. Sufficient water tanks will be positioned at stations and railway colonies to ensure accessibility during the event.

The Ministry of Railways is committed to ensuring passenger safety and minimizing disruption during Cyclone ‘Dana’ through these comprehensive preparedness measures.