The Hindu : Train services returning to normal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Train services returning to normal

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE OCT. 15. Life, which was thrown out of gear in the region following the unprecedented rain which lashed the State, is returning to normal.

Train services, which were disrupted following flooding of railway tracks in the Kannur South-Thalassery belt at Edakkad, is in the process of being restored.

According to railway sources, tracks were submerged by more than a metre of water at many places. An extent of 36 metres rail line was damaged, with three metres totally washed away.

Majority of the trains which were either terminated at Kozhikode, or originated from here, have been restored though some are running behind schedule. One line is already operational and the other is in the process of being restored by tonight.

On an average, as many as 30 pairs of trains (20 regular and ten weekly, besides goods trains), pass through the region on an average a day. The Chennai-Mangalore Mail, which was terminated at Kozhikode, and resumed journey to Chennai from here on October 14, has been restored to its original schedule. The Kannur-Thiruvananthapuram Express and the Kannur Coimbatore Passenger originated from Kozhikode today, according to railway sources.

The Kozhikode-Kannur passenger was cancelled on October 14 and 15.

Some of the trains the services of which were disrupted on October 14 between Kannur and Kozhikode include the up and down Parasuram Express, Malabar Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Express, etc.

Meanwhile, Meteorological Office sources maintain that the present spell of rain which resulted in widespread water-logging of roads and disrupted train services is part of the South-west monsoon which is yet to withdraw from the coast. The prevailing wind pattern indicated this.

The north-east monsoon, which is categorised by evening downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning, is yet to break over the region. The present downpour is due to a cyclonic circulation over the Karnataka Coast, which was earlier located over Lakshwadeep.

The phenomenon was persisting, and indicated favourable rainfall, according to the weatherman.

Kozhikode city registered 91.4 mm rain (9 cm) from 8 a.m. on October 14 to 8 a.m. on October 15. The rainfall on the previous day accounted for 49.2 mm (5 cm). In 2002, the present spell of rain was the longest, though the highest rainfall, 21 cm, was recorded on May 18-19.

According to control room estimates, one person was reported dead, 28 houses damaged, and 26 persons evacuated to safer locations during the present spell of rain. The flooding of roads in the city has receded following a respite since yesterday.

Some of the worst-affected were the Pavamani Road, Rajaji Road, mofussil bus stand area, etc.

Drains overflowed and concrete slabs were dislocated in a few places creating hazards for pedestrians and vehicles.

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