Bhubaneswar: Train services on the Howrah-Chennai mainline, one of the busiest railway routes in the country, were disrupted on Thursday after tracks were flooded in the Ichchapuram-Jhadupudi section of Andhra Pradesh, a few kilometres from the Odisha border, following heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Arnab.Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the situation with senior officials of East Coast Railway and South Coast Railway. “The situation is being closely monitored to maintain safe and smooth train operations,” he said.Heavy rainfall of around 550 mm due to the cyclone caused a sharp rise in Bahuda river in Ganjam district. The water level at Baghalati Dam on the river crossed the danger mark, leading to a rise in water levels at the railway bridge between Ichchapuram and Jhadupudi, where the level also crossed the danger mark.According to East Coast Railway, water was flowing above the danger level over two railway bridges after Bahuda swelled, leading to cancellation of more than 30 trains and diversion of over 20 others. Major trains, including Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express and Rourkela-Gunupur Rajyarani Express, were cancelled. Some local passenger trains were short-terminated in view of passenger and train safety.With the mainline blocked, Howrah-MGR Chennai Central Express was diverted via Angul-Sambalpur-Rayagada-Vizianagaram instead of its scheduled route. Similarly, Puri-Ahmedabad SF Express, scheduled to begin its journey on Thursday, was diverted via Angul-Sambalpur-Titlagarh. Most diverted trains are being routed through these two sections.“In the interest of passenger safety, more trains have been cancelled and some trains diverted today. Railway officials are closely monitoring the situation. Train services would be restored once the water level recedes and the section is declared safe for train operations,” ECoR said in a statement.ECoR sources said a high-level meeting was held with state govt to review the situation and coordinate measures to ensure safe railway operations and passenger safety.As passengers remained stranded at different locations, ECoR made arrangements to provide food and drinking water. Additional manpower, Railway Protection Force personnel and travelling ticket examiners were deployed to guide passengers, address grievances and provide assistance.Passengers are facing difficulties as they could not travel to their destinations. “My train Puri-Ahmedabad Exp has been cancelled for Friday. I had to join my job at Bharuch in Gujarat on Monday. I do not know what to do,” said Bablu Palai from Ganjam.More than 1,000 buses also stayed off the roads in south Odisha due to heavy rain and floodwater flowing over bridges and roads. “Main roads, including highways, have been flooded at several places in south Odisha districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Ganjam is badly affected, and buses were off the road on Wednesday and Thursday. If the situation does not improve, buses cannot ply in those areas on Friday too,” said Debendra Sahu, general secretary of All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association.