National Desk, 20th December: In the aftermath of relentless rainfall causing flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu, around 800 passengers faced a stranded situation at Srivaikuntam railway station near Thoothukudi. On December 17, 2023, the Chennai-Egmore Express train came to a halt due to unsafe track conditions, leaving passengers in a precarious situation.
The response to the crisis was a comprehensive and collaborative effort involving various teams and strategies to ensure the safety of all passengers within a 48-hour window. Initially, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel from Tirunelveli, led by Inspector Praveen Kumar, acted as first responders, delivering essential supplies such as water bottles and food items. They navigated extreme water currents, utilizing trucks and jeeps, and waded through chest-deep water for about 3 km to reach the stranded passengers.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) played a crucial role, attempting to reach the station for nearly 30 hours before joining forces with the RPF and Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services to execute the evacuation process. The evacuation involved using nylon ropes and stretchers to assist the elderly and weak.