Flash floods derail two trains in MP, over 24 dead, 25 injured

More than 24 people were killed and 25 injured after two trains, Kamayani Express and Janata Express, derailed while crossing a bridge over swollen Machal river in Madhya Pradesh.

The incident happened at 11.30 pm on Tuesday when seven coaches of Kamayani Express, bound for Varanasi, and five bogies of Janata Express, bound for Mumbai, were crossing the bridge in Harda, some 160 km from Bhopal.

The toll is expected to go further up. The Railways has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the site later in the day. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also condoled the deaths.

"Seven bogies of Kamayani Express and engine plus three coaches of Janata Express were derailed between Khirkiya and Bhirangi stations near Harda. The mishap took place around 11.30 PM on Tuesday as base material of the tracks got washed away in heavy rains. Nearly 25 passengers suffered injuries," West Central Railway PRO Piyush Mathur told news agency PTI.

Search operations have been launched and few coaches also fell in the river. Bhopal Railway PRO told PTI that more than 250 passengers were rescued so far.

Meanwhile, Minister of State of Railways Ministry Manoj Sinha said it was not a manmade disaster but a natural calamity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the incident.

The two train accidents in Madhya Pradesh are deeply distressing. Deeply pained over the loss of lives. Condolences to families of deceased.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2015

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu will make a detailed statement in the Parliament about the incident.

Enquiry ordered,Ex gratia to be paid immediately.Flooding of tracks due to very heavy downpour.Will make detailed statement to parliament

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 5, 2015

The Railways has set up helpline numbers: Harda- 09752460088, Bhopal- 07554061609, Bina- 075802222, Itarsi- 0758422419200, Itarsi - 07572 241920, Danapur - 06115 232398, Varanasi - 0542 2504221, 2503814, Patna- 06122 206967.