IMD Orange, Yellow Alerts for Kerala, Tamil Nadu

A landslide near Parassala railway station in Thiruvananthapuram district derailed the locomotive of the Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Express early Thursday. All passengers and staff are safe.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow warnings as heavy rain lashes Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A landslide near Parassala railway station in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district derailed the locomotive of the Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Express early Thursday.

Landslide derails express locomotive

The incident happened at about 2:19 am on Thursday, October 22. Train No. 22619 Bilaspur-Tirunelveli Express stopped in the Neyyattinkara-Parassala section after a landslide near Parassala. The locomotive was then found derailed, the railways said.

“All passengers and railway staff are safe,” Southern Railway said in a statement.

The railways cancelled six passenger trains and partially cancelled the affected express, which was short-terminated at Neyyattinkara. Restoration work is under way. The Guruvayur-Chennai Egmore Express and the Pune-Kanniyakumari Express were expected to run late.

IMD warnings

The IMD had issued an orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram district on Wednesday, October 21, warning of very heavy rain. It also issued a yellow alert for the district from October 22 to 25, forecasting heavy rain.

Across the state, the IMD has issued orange alerts for seven districts until Sunday and warned of isolated very heavy rainfall over the coming days. The IMD classifies heavy rainfall as 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours. An orange alert is issued when very heavy rain of 11 to 20 cm is predicted, and a yellow alert means heavy rain of 6 to 11 cm. Authorities have urged residents of vulnerable areas to be cautious and follow official advisories.

What to watch

Railway teams are working to restore services on the affected stretch. Passengers should check Southern Railway’s updates before travelling, since cancellations and delays may change as the rain continues.