In the wake of Cyclone Montha’s landfall, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced the cancellation of two key long-distance passenger trains operating between Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. The decision follows ongoing weather-related disruptions and non-availability of train rakes across the coastal network.
According to an official ECoR notification, the following services have been cancelled:
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Train No. 22204 Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam, scheduled to depart on October 29, 2025.
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Train No. 12703 Howrah–Secunderabad, scheduled to depart on October 30, 2025.
Railway authorities attributed the cancellations to operational constraints and safety concerns, stating that rakes for these services were stranded or rescheduled due to precautionary measures implemented during the cyclone. Passengers have been advised to check real-time updates through official railway channels before planning their journeys.
Restoration Efforts Underway
ECoR officials confirmed that restoration and inspection work is currently in progress across affected divisions to clear debris, repair overhead wires, and restore normal train operations. Track and bridge safety assessments are being carried out before resuming full services.
61 Trains Cancelled Since Cyclone Impact
In coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and disaster management authorities, Indian Railways earlier implemented large-scale cancellations and diversions to ensure passenger safety during Cyclone Montha.
A total of 61 train services were cancelled between October 27 and 30, distributed as follows:
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October 27: 4 trains
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October 28: 48 trains
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October 29: 8 trains
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October 30: 1 train
The affected list included popular services such as:
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07166 Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad Special
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17479 Puri–Tirupati Express
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18464 Bengaluru–Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express
In addition, nine trains were short-terminated or short-originated, six were diverted, and nine were rescheduled due to flooding and track damage along the coastal stretch.
Cyclone Montha Weakens; Rains Continue
As of Wednesday morning, IMD reported that Cyclone Montha, which made landfall near Narasapur in Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday night, had weakened into a deep depression. The system is expected to lose further intensity as it moves inland toward Telangana and southern Odisha.
While large-scale destruction has not been reported, continuous rain has caused localised flooding, power outages, and transport disruptions in parts of East and West Godavari districts. Restoration teams are working to clear fallen trees and repair damaged infrastructure.
Authorities have urged residents and travellers to remain cautious and follow official advisories until conditions stabilise across the coastal belt.
Disclaimer:
Passengers are advised to check real-time train updates through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the ECoR official website before commencing their journey.
