Train Travel in Monsoon? Here’s How to Stay Safe and Prepared

The arrival of monsoon provides a much needed escape from the heat and brings the natural landscape to life. The flowing rivers, rain filled mountains and misty clouds create a beautiful spectacle which is best enjoyed in a train travel.

India is filled with gorgeous train routes that allow us to enjoy the monsoon to the fullest. The misty hilltops of the western ghats, rain soaked paddy fields of eastern India or the lofty foggy Himalayas, the country is full of picturesque destinations.

However, a major concern regarding train travel in monsoon is safety. Rains bring with them many carriers of infection. Add to these, the waterlogged tracks, slippery stations and delayed trains. 

Without proper planning, train travel in monsoon can be hectic. That is why RailMitra brings to you a complete guide to ensure safe train travel during this monsoon.      

Common Challenges Faced During Monsoon Train Travel

Monsoon is beautiful to experience but it also creates several problems, especially for the trains operating in this season.

• Delays and Cancellations: Excessive rains often lead to waterlogging and flooding of train tracks, especially in low lying and flood prone regions. In the hilly areas landsliding is frequent leading to a blockade of train tracks. This natural obstruction often leads to trains being delayed or cancelled.
• Health risks: Rainy season also poses several health risks with train travel. Waterborne diseases like Cholera or Typhoid and vector-borne diseases like Dengue are common during this season. Stagnant water at the stations and trains paired with huge crowds create a breeding ground for various infectious diseases. 
• Poor visibility: Heavy rains, fog and mist reduce visibility which makes train operations difficult. With reduced visibility trains move slowly adding to the delays.
• Unavailability of Pantry food: Monsoon also disrupts the pantry car food in trains. Excessive rains and waterlogging may disrupt food supplies. Even platform vendors are unable to operate in heavy rains.
• Excessive dampness: Constant rains increase humidity levels inside the trains. More so in non air-conditioned coaches. Clothes and our belongings feel moist which is enhanced by poor ventilation leaving many passengers uncomfortable. 

What to Pack for a Comfortable Train Travel in Rainy Weather

No planning strategy is complete without an appropriate itinerary. Here is a list of items you need to carry with you during a train journey in the monsoon.

• Rain Gears:

1. 1. A sturdy umbrella
   2. Light raincoat
   3. Waterproof covers for luggages
   4. Plastic bags or ziploc bags to store essential items like electronics and documents.

• Clothing:

1. 1. Use clothes of fabrics that dry quickly. Synthetic fabrics are suitable for this season.
   2. Keep an extra pair of clothes
   3. Towel
   4. A thin blanket in case it gets too chilly

• Footwear:

1. 1. Use anti-slip footwears that have a sturdy build and sole.
   2.  Keep an extra pair of socks
   3. An extra pair of flip flops or slip-ons for washroom usages.

• Baggage:

1. 1. Use waterproof luggage options
   2. In case you do not have waterproof baggages, keep rain covers to protect your bags
   3. Keep plastic bags to separate wet clothes.
   4. Keep a transparent ziploc bag to use your smartphone safely during the rains. 

• Food and Drinks:

1. 1. Bottled water
   2. Non-perishable food items like: dry fruits, nuts, namkeen, biscuits, etc.
   3. Order food from hygienic and trustworthy Railway food app like RailMitra. 
   4. Keep a packet of ORS or a Glucose sachet with you.

• Sanitation and Hygiene:

1. 1. Hand Sanitizers
   2. Disinfectant swipes
   3. Mosquito repellant spray
   4. Hand Wash or Toilet Paper
   5. First aid kit

Essential Safety Tips for Monsoon Train Journeys

Monsoon and its after effects can be challenging for any passenger during a train travel. However, by following our safety tips you can minimise the risk and ensure a safe journey:

• Check live train status: Trains during monsoon are subject to many delays. It is thus advised to check Live train running status service available at RailMitra before leaving the home. This service tracks train’s movement in real time and thus informs about any delays beforehand. Using this service we can make adjustments to our schedule and prevent unnecessary long waiting hours at the station.
• Use appropriate footwears: During the monsoon stations and platforms can get slippery. Use good quality footwears which are water resistant and have strong anti-slip soles.
• Order food from reliable platforms: Food from pantry cars during monsoon can be unsafe. Order food in train from your reliable food partner RailMitra. RailMitra provides food exclusively from FSSAI approved vendors ensuring safety, hygiene and cleanliness. 
• Avoid standing at the doors: Standing at the doors during the monsoon can appear romantic but avoid it in all cases. Rainy season makes the visibility poor and the train floor slippery. Moreover, the shaky movement of the train and sudden jerks can prove disastrous. Hence, avoid standing at the doors during the monsoon.
• Keep yourself informed about the weather conditions: Weather fluctuation has a direct impact on the movement of the train. It is thus better to keep yourself updated by following weather news. Try to keep your news source regional for enhanced accuracy.

How RailMitra Can Help You During Monsoon Train Travel

The best safety strategy during a train travel in the rains is to stay informed. RailMitra, your best friend on train keeps understands your concerns and has developed services tailored made for assisting travellers in these situations:

• Hygienic Food Delivery in Train: As mentioned before, getting food becomes difficult during the monsoon. Pantry food and station vendors are not reliable. In such a situation, RailMitra brings you safe and hygienic food on the train right at your train seat.
• Food at the Next Station: To tackle the problem of delays in food delivery, RailMitra has also launched the offer of delivering your food right at the next station. Gone are the days where you would have to wait for long hours to receive your food order on the train. Receive you food just at the next station with RailMitra.
• Tracks your train journey: The biggest issue during monsoon is the delays in train’s movement.  With the live train running status service at RailMitra we can track our train live in real time and can adjust according to the changes in the train’s schedule.
• PNR Status updates: During the rainy season and due to delays in trains, many bookings are cancelled. This leads to many Waiting List bookings getting confirmed. RailMitra provides you a fast and smooth platform to access PNR Status checks and see if your ticket has been confirmed.

Conclusion

Monsoon is the most beautiful season of India. The beauty of this subcontinent can be truly explored only through its vast and deep Railway network.

Monsoon does present various challenges in train travel. But with adequate preparation and using the assistance of railway apps like RailMitra you can stay ahead of these challenges. Through its fast and user-friendly services RailMitra transforms problems of the travel into a fun and fulfilling experience. You can order pakoras and a big cup of kadak chai. Enjoy the train ride through scenic Indian routes with your favorite dish in the hand with RailMitra. 

So, this monsoon, don’t stay indoors. Follow the necessary tips and strategies mentioned in the blog and beat any challenge the monsoon throws at you. 

Stay prepared, stay fulfilled with your best friend on the train, RailMitra.