Kochi: The public transport system collapsed in many parts of central Kerala with the Southern Railways and Kochi Metro suspending their operations on Thursday due to floods. Meanwhile, people in the downstream areas of the swollen Periyar river have been severely hit amid another bout of continuous rain and the opening of shutters of all major dams, including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni and Idamalayar.
The floods have affected the transport system to the Kochi city.
"Due to rise in water level at Bridge No 176 on Downline between Angamali and Aluva, The services on this bridge is suspended," a Southern railway spokesman said in a statement early on Thursday.
The Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) also suspended its operations this morning after its yard in Muttom near Aluva submerged in the flood waters.
"Kochi Metro train operation is suspended as the water level rises in Muttom yard area," a KMRL statement said.
The service will be resumed once the water comes down and the systems are back in good condition, its spokesperson said.
Bus services to Kochi were also affected after National Highways connecting the city submerged in Kalamassery area, officials said.
Cochin International Airport had suspended all flight operations till Saturday as water entered in the airport area on Wednesday following continuous rains and the opening of dam shutters in Periyar river.
Rail traffic hit in the Malabar region also after rail tracks get flooded.
The following services have been rescheduled on Thursday, August 16:
1. No.12777 Hubli-Kochuveli Express, which departed Hubli on Wednesday, will end its journey at Thrissur.
2. No.12695 Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express which is on its way from Chennai Central will terminate at Palakkad Junction.
3. The Karaikal-Ernakulam Express, No.16187, which left Karaikal on Wednesday, will end its trip at Palakkad Junction.
4. The Mangalapuram-Thiruvananthapuram Maveli Express, No.16603, which departed Mangaluru Junction on Wednesday will end its trip at Shoranur.
Train services that are cancelled or partially cancelled on Thursday:
1. No 56361 Shoranur-Ernakulam passenger cancelled.
2. No.12778 Kochuveli-Hubli Express will not run between Kochuveli and Thrissur on Thursday. Its return trip will commence from Thrissur, as the incoming train from Hubli had terminated service here.
3. No.12696 Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai Superfast Express will depart from Palakkad Junction, where No.12695 had ended its trip as it arrived from Chennai. Its service on the Thiruvananthapuram-Palakkad rail segment stands cancelled.
4. No.16188 Ernakulam-Karaikal Express won't begin its journey from Ernakulam on Thursday. The train is now at Palakkad Junction and will depart from there.
Trains rerouted on Thursday:
1. No.16381 Mumbai-Kanyakumari train that departed from Mumbai on August 14 has been diverted through Erode, Dindigul and Madurai Junction.
2. No.16526 Bengaluru-Kanyakumari Island Express, which left KSR Bengaluru on Wednesday, will be diverted via Salem, Namakkal, Dindigul and Tirunelveli.
3. No.16341 Guruvayur-Thiruvananthapuram Intercity Express will also be diverted.
Delayed services:
Trains delayed on Thursday due to single-track traffic on Angamaly-Aluva route:
1. No.16344 Madurai-Thiruvananthapuram Amruta Express which departed Madurai on Wednesday.
2. No: 12432 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Thiruvananthapuram Rajadhani Express which left Hazrat Nizamuddin on Tuesday.
3. No.16315 KSR Bengaluru-Kochuveli Express which started its journey from KSR Bengaluru on Wednesday.
4. No. 12646 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Millenium Express which departed Hazrat Nizamuddin on Tuesday.
5. No.12623 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Mail which left Chennai Central on Wednesday.
