How Did a Landslide Derail the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express Locomotive Near Parassala?

What happened at Parassala?

A landslide struck close to Parassala railway station in Kerala's southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours of Thursday 22 October 2026. Debris from the landslide lay on the railway track, and the locomotive of the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express derailed near the station at about 2.19am.

Casualties

No casualties were reported. The railway zone said in a statement that "all passengers and railway staff are safe".

Disruption to services

• Six passenger trains were cancelled following the derailment.
• Train operations across southern Kerala were disrupted.
• Services on the busy Thiruvananthapuram–Nagercoil route were affected, with officials saying hundreds of passengers faced delays.
• Regional reports noted that several other services were also hit, including Amrit Bharat services.
• Services were restored later in the day after clearance work at the site.

Why it matters

Landslides are a recurring hazard for rail infrastructure in Kerala, where heavy rain can destabilise trackside embankments. This incident underlines the need for continuous monitoring of vulnerable sections, even as the quick response and the prompt halt of the train helped avert a far worse outcome.

Frequently asked questions

• Was anyone hurt in the Parassala derailment? No. Officials confirmed that all passengers and railway staff are safe.
• Which train was involved? The locomotive of the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express.
• When did the derailment happen? At about 2.19am on Thursday 22 October 2026.
• Were trains cancelled? Yes — six passenger trains were cancelled and wider services across southern Kerala were disrupted before being restored.