Torrential Rains Paralysing Rayagada: Landslide Halts Train Services, Uprooted Tree Snaps Odisha-AP Road Link for 8 Hours
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
RAYAGADA:September 24: Normal life across Rayagada district was thrown completely out of gear on Thursday as incessant downpours accompanied by gale-force winds—triggered by a deep depression crossing the coast—caused widespread destruction, triggering landslides on the railway network and severing vital interstate road connectivity.
Continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours led to severe operational disruptions for East Coast Railway.
Around 10:30 AM on Thursday, a massive landslide caused large mounds of earth, boulders, and debris to cave in directly onto the tracks near Tunnel No. 3 between Leliguma and Rauli railway stations.
The disaster brought train movement along the strategic Koraput–Rayagada (K-R) line to an abrupt halt. Immediately following the incident, a dedicated technical emergency team from the Railway Department in Rayagada was rushed to the location. Clearing operations were launched on a war footing, and after nearly three hours of rigorous debris removal, tracks were restored and train operations resumed around 2:00 PM. However, railway officials remain on high alert as torrential run-off continues to flow across tracks near Leliguma, Rauli, Singaram, and Bhalumaska stations, posing recurring threats of disruption.
Simultaneously, road transit between Odisha and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh suffered a major breakdown early Thursday morning. Driven by high-velocity winds and blinding rain, a massive roadside tree was uprooted near Seskhal police station under Rayagada block, collapsing directly across the busy Rayagada–Vizianagaram main road.
The falling tree trapped and damaged a passing truck; however, in a fortunate turn of events, no loss of life or personal injuries occurred.
The highway blockade left hundreds of inter-state passenger and freight vehicles stranded, bringing vehicular traffic and passenger movement to a complete standstill for nearly eight hours.
Upon receiving emergency distress calls, Odisha Fire and Rescue Services personnel from the local station reached the spot. After hours of continuous exertion using modern power cutters and machinery, the fallen timber was cleared, successfully restoring vehicular flow on the arterial route.
With heavy meteorological alerts continuing across the region and water accumulation threatening low-lying stretches along both road and rail infrastructure, local administration and disaster management units remain deployed to monitor vulnerable sectors and ensure swift response to any fresh emergencies. Collector Kulkarni has extended one more day, ie, 25th September, for all types of schools to be closed.
