The Southern Railway has suspended the mountain train service between Mettupalayam and Ooty for two days, October 16 and 17, due to heavy rains from the northeast monsoon in the Nilgiris district.
Coimbatore: The Southern Railway administration has announced the suspension of the mountain train service between Mettupalayam and Ooty for two days, starting today, due to the ongoing northeast monsoon rains in the region.
The daily mountain train service, which operates from Mettupalayam to Ooty, travels through dense forest areas from Kallar onwards. The train uses a rack and pinion system from Mettupalayam to Coonoor to navigate the steep gradient of the Nilgiri mountains.
With the onset of the northeast monsoon in the Nilgiris district, several areas along the railway track have experienced flash floods. This has raised concerns about potential landslides and damage to the railway tracks. There is also a risk of trees falling on the tracks due to strong winds accompanying the heavy rains.
As a precautionary measure, the Southern Railway has decided to cancel the mountain train service between Mettupalayam and Ooty for two days - October 16 and 17. This decision aims to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent any untoward incidents that may occur due to the adverse weather conditions.
The authorities have stated that the suspension will be in effect for today and tomorrow, completely halting the mountain train service from Mettupalayam to Ooty. They will reassess the situation after two days to determine if it's safe to resume operations.
Tourists and locals who had planned to travel on the iconic Nilgiri Mountain Railway during these two days are advised to make alternative arrangements. The railway administration will provide updates on the resumption of services based on weather conditions and track safety assessments.