South Western Railway is well prepared for the Cyclone Tauktae. SWR General Manager Shri Gajanan Mallya has instructed all Heads of Departments to take measures to prevent loss to life and railway property. He has instructed to reiterate safety instructions to all the frontline staff so that safe train operations are maintained.
The Disaster Control Cell at SWR Headquarters has been activated and an interdisciplinary team of Officers from various departments is manning the cell and monitoring the evolving situation closely on a 24×7 basis.
The weather bulletins issued from IMD are monitored and weather warnings are disseminated in a timely manner to Stations to alert Station Masters, Trackmen, Engg, Electrical & Signal/Telecom, and Maintenance staff. All frontline staff have been alerted and sensitized to take all necessary precautions as per the Disaster Management Manual in anticipation of the heavy to very heavy rain owing to Cyclone Tauktae.
In the Hubballi division, both day and night monsoon patrolling has been stepped up in the Coastal & Ghat Section (Vasco da Gama, Kulem – Castle Rock) as per norms. Men are also deployed at stations to attend tree falling/earth/boulder fall at locations and clear the track immediately.
In the jurisdiction of SWR, all the bridges and susceptible locations are worked out by the Engineering department & frequently being patrolled. Monsoon reserve wagons have been provided to the Mysuru division with 33 wagons and 30 wagons in the Hubballi division with boulders, sand, etc.
Earthmoving equipment (JCB, Hitachi) are kept ready for emergencies. One full rake Ballast train is kept at Londa station. Released Sleepers are available at various spots in Ghat Sections.
Frontline teams of Electrical technicians are also mobilized and are on alert in various sections of the SWR Zone to attend to OHE failures/snapping of electrical wires/poles due to gusty wind arising from the cyclone. The staff of Railway Protection Force, Trackmen of Engineering Department are on alert and are monitoring vulnerable locations in their sections.
Trains will be canceled if necessary, to prevent loss to life & property, based on weather warning reports and the prevailing situation. Close liaison is being maintained with State Meteorological Department and adjoining Railway zones in managing the situation.