Heavy rain and a resulting landslide have caused a train to derail near Sonaulim. The train, 01134 Mangaluru-Mumbai CSMT Express, was run via a diverted route to avoid flooded areas on Konkan Railway.
South Western Railway has released a statement saying there were no casualties. The derailment occurred this morning around 0610 hours between Dudhsagar and Sonaulim stations. Passengers of the affected coach have been shifted to other coaches. The train is being pulled back to Kulem, and has crossed Sonaulim at this time.
01134 Mangaluru Jn – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Express Special was running via an alternate route of Madgaon-Londa-Miraj due to overflow of Vashishti River between Chiplun and Kamathe.
Another landslide has been reported between Caranzol-Dudhsagar Stations at about 0620 hours today.
Train no 02780 Hazrat Nizamuddin – Vasco da Gama Express Spl (which was bound to Vasco da Gama was detained in the section between Caranzol – Dudhsagar owing to the landslide, This train is being pulled back to Castle Rock.
Arrangements for tea, snacks, drinking water are made at Castle Rock Station and Kulem Station for the passengers of Train no 02780 and Train no 01134, respectively.
Accident Relief Train (ART) from Castle Rock as well as from Vasco da Gama were immediately despatched to the site, as per the standard protocol to carry out restoration measures.
SWR had already taken contingency measures prior to the start of the rainy season, at suitable stations for any exigency in the Ghat section in heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. As part of Monsoon Reserve, JCB, Hitachi and wagon loaded with boulders were kept ready at Castle Rock, Tinaighat and Kulem. These were pressed into service to the spot with trained technicians to carry out the restoration of the track.
There are 345 passengers on board Train no 01134 and 887 passengers on board Train no 02780. All are reported to be safe. Arrangements for transhipment of passengers to buses will be made at a suitable location.
For passengers of Train no 02780 the buses arrangement will be made at Londa towards destinations such as Vasco da Gama, Belagavi, Hubballi by road. For the passengers of 01134 alternate transportation arrangements will be made from Madgaon/Mangaluru Jn based on feedback from passengers.