RailEnquiry

A huge tree, uprooted by strong gale and heavy rain, fell right across the railway track at a spot between Veerarakkiam and Mayanur stations in Karur district late on Monday evening disrupting train services for more than five hours. Commuters returning from work were stranded on both directions.Railway sources here said that the tree fell right across the tracks just minutes ahead of the arrival of Erode-Karur-Tiruchi Passenger that left Veerarakkiam station at 6.10 p.m. only to be stranded midway.The train is usually jam packed with commuters returning from work in textile export units, government offices and students from Karur schools and colleges. Relief teams rushed to the site to clear the tracks and restore traffic.Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express was detained at Mayanur from 6.10 p.m., though the train must have reached Karur Junction by 6.25 p.m. Similarly the Mangalore-Chennai Express was detained at Karur Junctionthough it should here by 8 p.m. The Karaikal – Ernakulam Tea Garden Express and the Mayiladuthurai – Mysore Express suffered detention midway between Tiruchi and Karur, railway sources said.