Cyclone Biparjoy: Indian Railways prepares action plan ahead of landfall

Ahead of the Cyclone Biparjoys landfall the Indian authorities have begun its preparations Cyclone Biparjoy is reportedly expected to make landfall along the SaurashtraKutch coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm Fishing activities have been suspended and authorities are evacuating people from districts along the sea Meanwhile the Indian Railways have also prepared its action planAccording to a statement issued by the Western Railways on Monday the IMD has issued latest bulletin As per the bulletin the extremely severe cyclonic storm ldquoBiparjoyrdquo over East Central Arabian sea is moving and may affect Saurashtra and Kutch areas Forecast of Cyclone ldquoBiparjoyrsquo for the next 4 days commencing from 11th to 14th Junerdquo 2023 has been made over all Saurashtra areaThe storm is expected to affect Saurashtra amp Kutch areas The vulnerable sections include Bhavnagar Mahuva Veraval to Porbandar area Okha to Hapa and Gandhidham areaThe landfall is predicted to occur near MandviJakhau Port on the evening of the 14th Indian Railways has implemented various measures to ensure the safety and minimise the impact of the cycloneThese include1 Activation of Disaster Management Room at the Zonal Railway headquarters and roundtheclock manning by various departments2 Operation of emergency control rooms at division headquarters in Bhavnagar Rajkot Ahmedabad and Gandhidham3 Regular Monitoring of wind speed at multiple locations and instructions to regulate or stop trains if wind velocity exceeds 50 kmph Anemometers have been installed at stations and reading of wind speed is being taken on hourly basis4 Formation of Online Groups for realtime monitoring and coordination5 Continuous monitoring of cyclonerelated information on mausamimdgovin website6 Availability of sufficient diesel locomotives and coaching rakes for emergency evacuation7 Suspension of loading of double stack containers and restriction on their movement8 Review of passenger train schedules and necessary decisions based on the cyclone situation9 Readiness of a relief train10 Counselling of Loco Pilots amp Assistant Loco Pilots regarding safety protocols during cyclonestorm conditions All the necessary arrangements food medical etc have been done at various Running Rooms meant for crew rest11 Instructions to keep doors and windows of coaches open for the free passage of wind12 Intensive footplate inspections have been conducted for close monitoring13 Arrangements for the availability of fully fueled diesel locomotives and filled RCD fuel tanks back to normal operations after cyclone in case road infrastructure for RCD fuel movement is hampered14 Alternate communication arrangementsa Emergency Control Room including satellite phones FCT and DOT phones in case of communication failureb VHF sets are available for site communication15 Alternate Power arrangementsa Tower wagon Drivers and TRD staff of all Depot will remain on alertb If Power grid supply gets disturb then train services will run on Diesel traction c On power supply failure at Junction Stations control rooms and Major colonies pumps etc power supply will be given through DG sets16 Arrangements for Reserve Material Machinery and Man Powera Station wise details of all critical materials such as rubble ballast quarry dust and quarry dust on ground as well as on wheels has been preparedb Loading of material in wagons has been organized and loading shall be continued at nightc Poclain JCB Machines etc have been hired and arrangements for the stay of Divers have been maded The details of agencies having heavy earth moving machinery trucks ropes chain saw dewatering pumps pick up vans etc has been assessed and they have been put on alerte Mobilization of manpower both departmental and contractual has been donef 3 Teams have been formed at Dwarika Jamnagar and Surendranagar stations comprising of supervisors of various branches for better coordination17 Monitoring of Track and BridgesThe patrolling of track and bridges is done on a continuous basis18 Monitoring COP and FOBsa Prior survey and necessary securing of sheets has been done All station platform shelters have been secured appropriately19 The wind velocity is being measured and monitored hourly basis in order to impose traffic restrictions for movement on bridges maximum wind speed of 60 Kmph Monsoon precautions shall also be implemented fully20 Identification and cutting of vulnerable trees near the track21 Special Instructions for Safety Special instructions for safety including LC boom closure and withdrawal of staff from LCs functioning from porta cabins22 OHE and Transmission lines monitoring and inspection of OHE and transmission lines liaison with electricity authorities and provision of standby power devices23 Signaling and telecommunication arrangementsa Installation of DG sets and availability of spare parts is doneb 15 FCT 2 satellite phones and walkie talkie sets in ARTARMEs will be used for emergency communication24 Readiness of ARTARMEs Accident Relief TrainsAccident Relief Medical Equipment at strategic locationsAll staff has been strictly directed to use personal protection equipments like Helmets shoes etc 25 Security arrangements by RPFa The deployment of a RPSF Railway Protection Special Force coy company to assist in emergenciesb RPSF Company from nearby divisions have been deployed at the cyclone prone region to meet the emergency situationc Officials have been advised to coordinate with GRP City police Civil authorities SDRF and NDRF in view of the cyclone and to take necessary assistance in case of emergency 26 Arrangements For Stranded Passengersa Catering Stalls will remain open during cyclone affecting period with sufficient stock of water amp Food materials b Regular announcements will be made regarding the status of cyclone to alert passengersc Help Desk is opened at Various stations in the cyclone prone areas d Tie up with the state transport services for shifting of passengers to their destination in case of need27 Medical Preparedness a Ambulances and Sufficient Medicines are kept ready at Hospitals and Health Units b Medical State authorities and empaneled hospitals in the cyclone area are in contact to shift patients if neededc Railway Medical Team is in contact with the State Medical Team and coordinating with them and also with the Empaneled hospitals to shift patients in case of emergencyd Gujarat State Ambulance Toll free No 108 alertede The other local hospitals have also been alerted to deal with casualtiesf All doctors and paramedical staff on alert in Mumbai