Passengers suffer as trains delayed by hours; state likely to receive heavy rainfall today, red alert in two districts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Due to trees falling on railway tracks at various locations on Monday night and again yesterday morning in Kozhikode, trains across the state were delayed by several hours. Even late into the night, normalcy had not been restored, causing hardship for passengers. Many, including government employees, were unable to reach their offices on time.

Trees fell on tracks at multiple places, including the Thrissur–Guruvayur and Kottayam–Thiruvananthapuram routes, as well as in areas like Areekode in Kozhikode. The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express was delayed by 1 hour and 5 minutes. Other trains, including the Netravati, Maveli, Intercity, Malabar, Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram Superfast, Kannur–Shoranur Passenger, Parasuram, Mangala, and Ernad Express, were also delayed.

Although the railway had issued notices to property owners to remove hazardous trees before the monsoon began, many ignored the warning. As a result, the railway has initiated legal action to recover the losses caused by the disruption from the respective property owners.

Heavy rain likely today and on 31st A new low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal near the Odisha coast, increasing the likelihood of widespread rainfall across the state for the next five days. Very heavy rainfall is expected today and on the 31st. The strengthening of westerly winds is also possible. There is a risk of landslides, mudslides, and flash floods in hilly areas. Along the Kerala coast, waves may rise up to 4 meters over the next 48 hours, leading to possible sea surges and coastal erosion.

Red Alert today Wayanad, Kozhikode – More than 204 mm of rainfall expected in 24 hours.

Orange Alert Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod.