Bhubaneswar, 28 October 2025: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday held a review meeting on cyclone “MONTHA” preparedness with senior officials of East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South-Central Railway (SCR) virtually as Cyclone Montha's influence is being felt in Odisha, particularly in south Odisha as it moves inland after landfall.

The Minister assessed the readiness of the Railway network in view of the impending cyclonic storm along the east coast and reviewed the measures being undertaken for passenger safety, train regulation, restoration planning, and coordination with local administrations and disaster management agencies.

ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, along with Principal Heads of Departments and Divisional Railway Managers, participated in the review and briefed the Minister on the precautionary measures already initiated across the vulnerable sections, particularly in the Waltair and Khurda Road Divisions.

The Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring passenger safety, maintaining uninterrupted communication channels, and deploying disaster response teams in advance. He directed all Railway zones to remain on high alert and to take proactive steps for quick restoration of train services post-cyclone impact.

Services of several trains have been regulated due to the weather system for the safety of the passengers.

The Cyclonic Storm Montha is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of today as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.