Thiruvananthapuram, October 22, 2026: A landslide triggered by heavy overnight rain near Parassala railway station in Kerala derailed the locomotive of the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express early Thursday morning, disrupting train services on the Neyyattinkara–Parassala section. All passengers and railway staff were reported safe.
Incident Occurred at 2:19 AM
According to Southern Railway, the incident occurred at around 2:19 am after the train was stopped near Parassala following a landslide on the railway line.
After the train came to a halt, the locomotive was found to have derailed.
No Injuries Reported
Southern Railway confirmed that all passengers and railway personnel were safe following the incident.
No casualties or serious injuries were reported, making the derailment a significant disruption rather than a major passenger-safety disaster.
Heavy Overnight Rain Triggered Landslide
The derailment came amid heavy rainfall across southern Kerala.
Several districts had already been placed under weather alerts as the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across parts of the state.
Relief Locomotive Arranged
Railway authorities arranged a relief locomotive to move the affected train and its passengers from the site.
An accident relief train carrying personnel and specialised equipment was also dispatched to assist with restoration work.
Train Services Disrupted
The landslide and derailment temporarily affected rail traffic on the Neyyattinkara–Parassala route.
Several regional passenger services were halted or diverted while railway teams worked to clear debris and restore the damaged section.
Restoration Teams Sent to Site
Engineering and railway personnel were deployed to inspect the track and remove debris caused by the landslide.
Authorities were also working to ensure the route was safe before allowing normal train movement to resume.
Kerala Under Heavy Rain Alert
Kerala has been experiencing an intense spell of rain linked to weather systems over the Bay of Bengal.
For October 22, the IMD placed Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode under orange alert, while several other districts were under yellow alert.
Landslide Risk Remains High
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has warned people living in areas vulnerable to landslides, mudslides and flash floods to remain alert and move to safer locations when advised by officials.
Residents have also been asked to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.
Passenger Safety Prevents Major Tragedy
Despite the locomotive derailment, the absence of injuries prevented the incident from becoming a major rail disaster.
The focus now remains on clearing the railway line, inspecting infrastructure and restoring normal services while heavy rain continues across the state.
Source: Southern Railway, The Indian Express, The New Indian Express, IMD
Supreme News Network
