Land subsidence after heavy rain forces Eastern Railway to cancel, divert trains
Heavy rain triggered land subsidence under tracks in Malda Division, forcing Eastern Railway to cancel eight trains and divert several others.
Train services between north and south Bengal were disrupted on Friday after land subsidence occurred under railway tracks in the Maldah Division of Eastern Railway. The ground caved in between New Farakka and Kalidanga stations in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Wednesday night following heavy rainfall, an Eastern Railway official said.
Eight trains scheduled for Friday were cancelled, including the Malda Town-Howrah Intercity Express, the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi, and the Sealdah-New Alipurduar service. The Howrah-Balurghat Express and Howrah-Radhikapur Kulik Express were also called off.
The Malda Town-Anand Vihar Terminal express was diverted via Kiul Junction towards Munger and Katihar. Other trains, including those connecting Chennai and Tiruchirappalli with New Jalpaiguri, were rerouted through Nalhati and Azimganj.
Earlier on Thursday, authorities had already cancelled 23 trains due to the subsidence. In total, 30 trains were diverted, three were short-terminated, and one was rescheduled. The Sealdah-Saharsa Hate Bazare Express and the Malda Town-Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express were among those cancelled.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain at isolated places over Gangetic West Bengal until 5 September, with a fresh spell expected on 8 and 9 September. Thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph are also likely across South Bengal districts, including Murshidabad.