“Monsoon Precaution ”

by Prem Prakash kumar, IRSE

ADEN/PKUS.E.Railway

Derailment of Kamayani Express and Janta Express near Harda in Madhya Pradesh

Track in approaches of major and important bridges to be checked for any sign of “ sinking of track” .

Close watch on sinking of ballast and formation, if happening any.

DRAINAGE :-

Water is the arch enemy of track and proper and efficient drainage both of track and formation is the most important requirement of good track.

[Various Para of CE Circular No.-130]

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PRE-MANSOON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE [Para 723 Clause 1-5 of IRPWM] Water way of Bridges to be cleaned (remove

the silt only upto the bed level). Protective work and River training work must

be examined and repaired as necessary. Scour holes should be filled with boulders.

Painting of HFL, DL , FSL. Cross drains in yard to be provided. Survey in Cuttings and Hill slopes area for

detecting loose boulders and protective measures.

Safety Seminar Para 2.17 of CE Circular 130

[Para 283 of IRPWM & Para 2.9 of CE Circular No.-130]

The guidelines for inspection and taking action in cases of cutting and trimming of tress along the track may affect OHE and track during storm and natural calamities has been issued vide JPO duly approved by Engg. and Electrical Department to safe guard OHE and track and has provision in IRPWM [Para-283].

Trimming /cutting of tree along the track

Monsoon Precaution Certificate Para 4 of CE Circular 130

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MATERIAL FOR EMERGENCIES[Para 724 of IRPWM & Para 2.14.1 of CE

Circular No.-130A] Sufficient stock of rails, sleepers, c.c.cribs,

ballast sand /quarry dust and boulders at suitable location to be kept ready.

Before the onset of monsoon, specified number of wagons loaded with sand / quarry dust, ballast and boulders to be kept ready at nominated stations. [Vide CBE Letter No.BR/RAW/Policy/Pt.VII/98 Dated 20/10/2011]

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Locations and quantities of reserve stocks should be known to all Divisional Engineers and Assistant Engineers.

Contracts should be available for supply of boulders and Stone/Quarry dust . These materials will be taken only on need.

During monsoon, as far as possible , ballast train should be programmed to work in the vicinity of the vulnerable zones so that same can be utilized in emergency .

[Para 726 of IRPWM]Service spans – details of temporary service

spans available on each railway should be listed and circulated for the guidance of Assistant Engineers and Divisional Engineers before the monsoon.

Rail Clusters- It is some times necessary to provide rail clusters to pass traffic in emergencies. Rail cluster may be used as a temporary measure in emergency subject to specified conditions.

Service Spans and Rail Clusters

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RAW/ RAT[Para 726 of IRPWM]

All the Railway Affecting works: shall be inspected and repairs, if required, got carried out.

R.A.W. means any work (tanks, storage works, canals, bunds etc.) which if not constructed and maintained properly, or not operated properly may result in danger to Railway Line.( Bridge, embankment)

DEN/ADEN will maintain an up-to-date list of R.A.W. as jointly approved by Railway and state government.

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INSPECTION OF R.A.W.

ADEN will inspect the R.A.W. jointly with State govt. authorities and forward their inspection report to DEN.

DEN will scrutinize the report and return the reports to ADEN with instructions on the basis of above inspection report.

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State authorities will comply the items and ADEN will report to the DEN regarding action being taken.

Copies of inspection notes of Railway Affecting tanks with particulars of date of inspection notes and action taken or proposed by him to be included in resister maintained by ADEN.

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Vigilance over Railway Affecting tanks during heavy rains[Para 727 of IRPWM]

During periods of heavy rain, continuous watch to be kept on Railway Affecting tank in consultation with local authorities.

Nearest S.S./S.M will be informed if there is any likelihood of tank failing, who will in turn inform to SE/SSE,ADEN and DEN.

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Contd. …IMP When the Railway line is threatened, the

ADEN and SE/SSE shall arrange patrolling of the line and take adequate steps to ensure safety of Railway property and staff.

If the bridge in whose catchments a Railway affecting tank is located is classified as vulnerable location, stationary watchman to be posted during monsoon.

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WEATHER WARNINGS AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN[Para 728 of IRPWM]

Arrangement for receipt of bad weather warning from concerned meteorological centre.

List of the officers who should receive the bad weather warning, to be reviewed and updated every year.

Detailed instructions and full proof arrangement should exist for prompt communication to line staff.

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Action by station master Installation of Anemometer at one end of

adjacent station of selected bridges where very high velocity winds are experienced and where there is danger of vehicles capsizing.

S.M. to control (stop) the traffic when wind velocity exceeds the danger level and also to inform to S.M. at other side & the section controller of the need to control the traffic.

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Action by station master In case of receiving a weather warning

message forecasting heavy or cyclonic storm and there is reasonable doubt that a severe storm and high winds may endanger the safety of passenger/train S.M. may in consultation with Guard and Driver, detain the train until the storm and winds abate and it is considered safe to allow the train to proceed from his station.

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Action by Driver and GuardIn case of severe storm and high wind which

are likely to endanger the safety of passenger /train, Driver should should bring his train with the least delay to a halt avoiding places like sharp curves, high embankment, cuttings and bridges.

Train could be restarted after consultation with the Guard when it is considered safe to proceed.

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Action by SE/SSE(P.Way)On receipt of weather/cyclone warning, should arrange to

advise monsoon patrolmen/watchmen and Gang Mates to be extra vigilant.

Post watchman as required at all vulnerable locations and bridges by day as well as by night for a period extending up to 48 hours beyond the period specified in the weather/ cyclone warning message.

He Should be out in his section as far as possible by trolley during the period of warning and 48 hours beyond.

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Action by the Gang Mates On receipt of message from S.M. the mate

should take following action :-

During the fair season, depute two reliable gang man provided with patrolmen’s equipment for patrolling on either side and for alerting the intermediate Gang mate.

During heavy rain or a severe storm weather the mate and gang men on their own initiative should commence monsoon patrolling by day as well as night.

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Special precautions when track is submerged In all cases train shall be stop dead and

allowed to proceed at a speed not exceeding 10 Km./h.

If water is above top of ballast but below rail level –

Track should be checked by two men walking at either end of sleepers and if track is not disturbed, train can be allowed.

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Contd. …If water is above rail level –SE/SSE shall pilot the train , after ensuring

that the track is safe, by walking over the track and checking by means of probing subject to depth of water above rail level is within specified limit.

Para 2.15 of CE Circular 130Continuous vigilance should be exercised to

ensure that the drainage systems are functioning effectively.

PWIs, AENs and DENs should frequently inspected the track particularly vulnerable stretches-to ensure safety and avoid interruptions to traffic.

Precautions during Monsoon

Gang patrol during abnormal rainfall or storm:[Para 1001 (3) of IRPWM]On the length likely to be affected the

Mate should, on his own initiative organise Independent of other patrolling

Meteorological dept. issues telegrams of warning of storms/heavy rainfall

Watchmen and Gang mates to be extra vigilant and be prepared to introduce patrolling

[Para 1001 (5) of IRPWM]

In addition to patrolmen, stationary watchmen are posted at known or likely locations of danger or trouble.

Watchmen at vulnerable locations

Commencement & termination

[Para 1004 of IRPWM]

DEN to identify & notify patrolling section.

DEN to prescribe period & dates of patrolling.

SSE- authorized to introduce or continue out side stipulated dates, if conditions warrants.

Preparation of patrol charts

[Para 1005 of IRPWM]

Prepared by DEN considering train timings as per time table.

Following principles will govern:-

Patrolling by single patrolman.

May introduce in pair if danger from wild animals, dacoits,& risks as in ghat section exists, with approval of CE.

Max. possible protection to be given to passenger trains during night

Block section treated as unit & length divided in equal beats, patrol beat normally be 5 km, if block length more than 10 km intermediate station may be kept to keep beat of about 5 km.

Walking speed of patrolman taken as 3 kmph.

Not more than 20 kms walking in a duty.

30 minutes rest between two consecutive beats.

If frequency of trains is more introduce second set of patrolman.

Path of passenger trains first plotted & then movement of patrolman, such that time interval between patrolling of beat & passage of train is minimized.

Patrol chart should indicate vulnerable locations where stationary watchmen are posted.

Distribution of patrol charts

[Para 1005 of IRPWM]

Copies patrol charts distributed by DEN to ADENS, SSEs, DOMs, SSs & foreman of loco shed.

Foreman acquaints drivers location of patrolman/ stationary watchman, drivers look out for patrolman & thus immediate supervising done. SMs responsible for dispatching patrolman at right time & signing patrol books.

Patrol books & systematic patrolling

[Para 1006 of IRPWM]

Sufficient pages & in a tin case.

Pages serially numbered, book number corresponds with number of patrol,

First page- name of patrolman, beat, & patrolman number. Other columns be for date, station, time of arrival/departure & signature of SS.

Patrolmen shall be on duty at the time specified

Present patrol book to SM/Block Hut-in-charge who will enter time of arrival & departure and sign the book.

Systematic Patrolling

Patrolling of section After getting signature, patrol his beat

Exchange patrol book with that of next patrolman at the end of his beat

Retrace his beat.

If patrolman on arrival at the end of his beat does not find next patrolman

He must proceed ahead, until he meets him.

If a patrolman does not turn up in time or does not turn up at all

SM/Block Hut-in-charge will advise other end of block section

Both SMs/Blocks-in-charge will issue caution orders to all trains entering the section

Until patrolman from other end of ”patrol-section” arrives at the station and reports that all is well

Para 2.16of CE Circular 130It is very essential that proper supervision and

surprise checks are exercised over patrolling so that the system functions effectively and efficiently. The following minimum schedule of checks shall be carried out:

PWI (sub-section) -Twice a fortnight (at least once by foot or by trolley and once by train).

PWI I/C Once a fortnight by train and once a month by trolley.

AEN Once a month by trolley or by train. DEN Once in 3 months by trolley by train.

Checks on Patrolling

Equipment of Patrolman:[Para 1007 of IRPWM](a) One staff (b) Number plate 15 cm square(c) 12 fog signal in a tin case (d) 2 tricolor hand signal lamps

(e) Protective clothing(f) 1 match box (g) 2 red flags and 1 green

flag(day patrol only)(h) Patrol book in a tin case (i) One 3-cell electric torch(j) Whistle (k) 1 haversack.(l) 3 flare signal fusees

(in specified sections).

When patrolling in pairs of 2 menEquipment not duplicatedAdditional patrolman provided with Extra hand signal lampWhistle and Protective clothing.

Stand on cess on left hand side facing train

Exhibit his number plate, turning the light of his lamp on to it

Blow whistle when engine and brake van pass him.

When no danger is apprehended

Exhibit his number plate, turning the light of his lamp on to it

Drivers of passenger trainsShould acquaint when expected to pass patrolmen

Look out for patrollingPractical means of supervising

What to be observed flood exceeds danger levelwater on one side of embankment at a much higher level

signs of settlement. Water overflowing above track Land slidesObstruction on track due to collapses of slopes, uprooting of trees

Wash outs

Danger level

If single patrolman is employedPlace red flag/lamp on one track from where train is not expected.

Then run along other track/direction on which a train is expected first and place detonators

Run back and protect with detonators other direction on which lamp/flag was placed earlier.

Protecting the line Place one detonator on to the rail At 600m on BG

Place 3 detonators on the rail about 10m apart At 1200m on BG

On double line Detonators must be placed on line in the direction on which trains will approach

In the case where two patrolmen are deployed:-

Protecting the line:

A) The second lamp should be lit and danger signals

shown at once in both the directions.

B) The two patrolmen shall then proceed in opposite

directions showing the danger signals (red flag by

day and red light by night) and when at 600M on

Broad Gauge and 400 M on meter gauge from the

point of danger, each should place one detonator on

to the rail; they shall then proceed to a

distance of 1200M on Broad gauge and 800M on meter gauge/narrow gauge from the point of danger where they should place three detonators on the rail about 10 meters apart.

(i) Place the red flag/ lamp in prominent position

so as to warn an approaching train on one track. Then

run along the other track on which train is expected

first and place the detonators

(ii) Run back and protect with detonators the line on which the lamp/flag was prominently placed earlier.

When damage is detected on double line –

Should the nature of obstruction be such as to render it impossible for either of patrolmen to get across the gap, as for instance a wash away with strong flood, one of the men should show the danger signal and endeavor to stop trains approaching the danger spot and proceed towards the station on his side of the gap, fix the detonators and act as in (b)

Thank You