Cyclone Ockhi: Western Railways gears up to tackle any emergency

With Cyclone Ockhi making its way towards Mumbai, the authorities are gearing up to tackle the emergency situation. While schools in Mumbai metropolitan region have already been asked to remain shut, the Western Railways has also pulled up its socks.

The engineering control of the Western Railways has been kept on alert to keep a watch on water level over railway tracks.

In a release, the department said that RPF and commercial control staff has been asked to monitor crowd movements and undertake necessary evacuation at stations in case of a disaster-like situation.

Patrolling of the tracks has been intensified over various rail sections. The Disaster Management Cell of WR is geared up to deal with any emergency.

"A large number of RPF and other security personnel have been deployed on crowd management and other related activities at stations, yards. Ticket checking staff have also been put on crowd management duties," it added.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued an advisory against visiting beaches in view of high tide alert.

The Central Railway Mumbai Division has also updated the emergency numbers. An emergency cell has also been opened at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan.

More than 250 railway police force and Maharashtra State Security Force personnel have been deployed on crowd management and other related activities at stations and yards.