Heavy rainfall in Prayagraj has led to severe waterlogging at the Prayagraj Rambagh railway station, causing significant disruptions to passenger services. Floodwaters have reached depths of up to three feet on the tracks, severely impacting critical areas, including the Station Manager’s office, the RPF office, and the station’s retiring rooms. Railway authorities are currently engaged in extensive efforts to drain the water from the premises to restore normalcy.
- Operations on platforms 1, 2, and 3 are completely suspended.
- Train services have been diverted to platform 5 to manage traffic.
- MEMU services from Mau, Banaras, and Ballia to Prayagraj Rambagh are short-terminated at Jhansi.
- Schedule adjustments are expected to remain in effect until August 23.
- Prayagraj has recorded 582.8 mm of rainfall since August 1, exceeding the seasonal norm by 21%.
Impact on Train Services and Infrastructure
North Eastern Railway CPRO Sumit Kumar confirmed that the situation remains critical, with the Varanasi-Howrah route facing the brunt of the disruptions. Varanasi DRM Ashish Jain has conducted an on-site inspection to evaluate the extent of the infrastructure damage. The railway administration is prioritizing passenger safety while working to mitigate the impact of the flooding. Passengers are advised to check their train status frequently, as the current schedule modifications are slated to continue through August 23.
Citywide Crisis and Administrative Response
The flooding at the railway station is part of a broader civic crisis, with residential areas like George Town, Tagore Town, Allapur, and Kareli also struggling with overflowing drains. The situation has drawn the attention of the Allahabad High Court, which has taken suo motu cognizance of the city’s waterlogging issues. The court has summoned the District Magistrate and the Municipal Commissioner for a hearing on August 20 to address the lack of preventative infrastructure.
In the interim, District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has deployed six PCS officers to monitor the crisis, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues rescue operations across the city. With the IMD issuing warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days, authorities remain on high alert, keeping a close watch on the rising water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Passengers planning travel through Prayagraj are urged to stay updated with official railway notifications.