Bhubaneswar, September 21: In view of the well-marked low pressure area and forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall over Odisha on September 23 and 24, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Monday issued urgent advisories to Transport and Railway authorities for enhanced night patrolling, route, track monitoring and emergency preparedness.

In a letter to Khurda Road Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil emphasised seamless communication with local District Magistrates and the SRC for localized flash flood warnings.

The DRM has been directed to ensure that the Divisional Control Rooms and local Emergency Operations Rooms (FOR) are fully manned 24/7 by senior officers starting September 22.

The SRC directed the DRM to deploy stationary watchmen at vulnerable bridges and launch continuous mobile monsoon patrolling on flood-prone sections to avert any untoward situation during the weather system.

“Closely monitor water levels at bridges and tracks. Implement immediate speed restrictions or train regulations if water breaches safety limits. Keep Accident Relief Trains (ART), Medical Vans, sandbags, boulders, and earth-moving machinery loaded and ready for rapid deployment at strategic junctions,” the SRC said.

The DRM has been further asked to ensure that major stations have functional emergency power backups, sufficient food stocks, clean drinking water, and active helpdesks to manage stranded passengers.

“You are hereby instructed to take immediate, necessary actions for the safe and regulated movement of trains within your respective jurisdictions,” the SRC directed.