Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Rain Erodes Railway Tracks as DVC Water Raises Flood Fears
Heavy rain damaged a railway track near New Farakka in Murshidabad.
The ground under part of the track washed away.
Railway workers stopped trains and began emergency repairs.
Some trains were cancelled, while others used different routes.
The Damodar Valley Corporation also released a large amount of water from its barrages.
This increased the chance of flooding in five districts of south Bengal.
Some villages in Bankura were already underwater.
Water levels also rose in the Ajay and Bhagirathi rivers, and the Kopai river flooded the Kankalitala temple area.
Officials moved 128 expectant mothers to safer places or hospitals.
Heavy rainfall caused soil beneath railway tracks near New Farakka to cave in, disrupting services in the Howrah-Malda division.
At least 11 long-distance trains were cancelled, while others were diverted through Nalhati-Azimganj and Bir Shibpur.
The Damodar Valley Corporation released more than 1.20 lakh cusecs of water from its Durgapur barrages.
The release raised flood concerns in five south Bengal districts, with some villages in Bankura already inundated.
Hooghly authorities evacuated 128 expectant mothers and opened control rooms as rivers rose across parts of south Bengal.
- Who
- Eastern Railway, the Damodar Valley Corporation, and district administrations in south Bengal were involved; railway passengers and residents faced disruption or flood risks.
- What
- Heavy rain damaged railway tracks, disrupting train services, while the release of more than 1.20 lakh cusecs of water increased flood concerns.
- When
- The track cave-in and related disruptions occurred early Thursday morning; the water release and flood precautions were reported Thursday.
- Where
- The railway damage occurred near New Farakka railway station in Murshidabad district; flood risks affected parts of south Bengal, including Hooghly, Howrah, Bankura, Birbhum, and East Burdwan.
- Why
- Rain eroded the soil beneath the tracks, while high water discharge from the Damodar Valley Corporation raised river levels and the threat of inundation.
- Railway division affected
- Howrah-Malda division
- Damaged location
- About 3 kilometres from New Farakka railway station, Murshidabad district
- Long-distance trains cancelled
- At least 11
- Alternative train routes
- Nalhati-Azimganj-Jangipur Road and Howrah-Bir Shibpur
- Water released
- More than 1.20 lakh cusecs from Durgapur barrages
- Districts facing flood threat
- Five south Bengal districts
- People evacuated
- 128 expectant mothers moved to safe locations or hospitals