The Indian Railways has cancelled over a dozen special trains scheduled on November 25 and 26, which would have either originated from or terminated in the southern states, in view of Cyclone Nivar, and offered full refund to passengers.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Nivar is expected to intensify into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ before crossing the coast between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the early hours of Thursday.

“Owing to the onset of Cyclone NIVAR, Southern Railway has announced cancellation of several special train services to destinations that are likely to be affected by unprecedented rains/cyclonic landfall and to other destinations due to operational difficulties,” the Railways said.

“For the trains fully cancelled by Railways in view of Cyclone NIVAR, full refund of fare will be granted on ticket cancellations. The time limit for availing refunds has also been extended to six months from the date of journey,” it added.

For PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counter tickets, refunds can be availed on submission of tickets on the counter upto six months from the date of scheduled departure of the train. Auto refund facilities are available for tickets booked online.

For trains cancelled partially, passengers can avail full refund for the untraveled portion until six months from the date of scheduled departure of the train, while auto refund is also available for the tickets bought online.

The Southern Railways issued a statement saying that several precautions to minimise any damage have been taken.

“Instructions have been issued to all the field units, especially those at the districts which are on high alert, to be in readiness with full complements of tools, spares, accessories that are required for restoration of traffic”, it said.

“Monsoon reserve trains loaded with rail, sleepers and other tools and also tower wagons loaded with all material required for restoring train operations are kept fully prepared”, the statement said.

“It has also been communicated to the field units that, as soon as the threat of cyclone is apparent, all the boom barriers at the level crossing gates are to be kept in closed condition to prevent damage to the booms, duly informing the District Collectors concerned”, it added.

“Roof shelters in the platforms at the stations have been checked and fastened with due care. Hoardings at the stations and mid sections in the area which are on high alert have been removed, wherever feasible, to reduce any damage”, the statement further said.

The trains that have been fully cancelled include the Dr MGR Chennai Central -- Mettupalayam Special Train (02671), Dr MGR Chennai Central Coimbatore Special Train (02673), Dr MGR Chennai Central Mangalore Special Train (02601), Dr MGR Chennai Central Thiruvananthapuram Special Train (02623), and Dr MGR Chennai Central Alappuzha Special Train Train (02639).