Malda Rail Division Declares High Alert on Jamalpur Bhagalpur Section Due to Floods
Indian Railways has stepped up safety measures as monsoon floods impact critical rail infrastructure in Bihar. The Malda Rail Division of Eastern Railway has placed the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur railway section under a high alert due to dangerously rising water levels in the Ganga River. Floodwaters have begun encroaching upon railway bridges and culverts across the region, prompting strict speed limits and round-the-clock monitoring.
- High Alert Declared: The Jamalpur-Bhagalpur railway section is under strict watch as Ganga floodwaters impact vital bridges.
- Speed Restrictions Imposed: Trains are running at reduced speeds of 20-30 km/h across sensitive stretches to ensure passenger safety.
- Patna-Gaya Disruptions: Rising levels of the Punpun River have led to the cancellation of 10 MEMU trains.
- Passenger Advisory: Travellers are strongly advised to verify their train status before starting their journey.
Strict Speed Limits and Round-the-Clock Monitoring
As floodwaters reach critical levels, bridge number 195 is currently under close observation by railway engineers. To ensure safety, train speeds across the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur-Sahibganj rail corridor have been strictly restricted to 20-30 km/h at sensitive locations. These speed restrictions apply particularly to sections between Kahalgaon and Sabour, Ajgaibinath Dham (Sultanganj) and Ratanpur, Bariarpur and Ratanpur, and Lailakh and Sabour.
To mitigate the risks of track subsidence and erosion, the Eastern Railway administration has mandated 24-hour patrolling along the vulnerable routes. The Chief Engineer General of Eastern Railway has personally conducted site inspections. Furthermore, Permanent Way Inspectors (PWI) and Inspector of Works (IOW) teams remain stationed at key bridges including Echari, Kalyanpur, Bariarpur, and Lailakh. To maintain operational flexibility, railway headquarters has instructed all stations between Sahibganj and Jamalpur to keep at least one spare line open at all times.
Broader Network Impacts and Passenger Guidance
The persistent weather conditions, which intensified from September 5 and remain volatile as of September 8, 2026, have heavily disrupted regional connectivity. Beyond the rail network, the Bhagalpur-Munger National Highway 80 (NH-80) has been completely closed due to severe flooding.
In a separate development, rising water levels in the Punpun River have impacted the Patna-Gaya rail section, specifically affecting bridge number 21 and forcing the cancellation of 10 MEMU trains. Officials have confirmed that normal train operations on the Jamalpur-Bhagalpur route will not resume until conditions are deemed completely safe. Passengers should note that additional train cancellations remain possible if flood conditions deteriorate further, and everyone is advised to check updated schedules before heading to the station.