Railways to install sensors near bridges to monitor water

Ahead of monsoon, railways will install solar-powered sensors near bridges to monitor the rising water level during the rainy season to prevent any mishap.
Railway tracks often get submerged due to the overflowing of floodwater affecting train operations during monsoon season.
"Submerging of tracks also causes disruption of train services. At times overflowing of river washed away tracks causing derailment," a senior Railway Ministry official said.
As per the plan, Flood Level Monitoring System comprising micro-devices, radar and an electronic unit, will be placed near the bridge to monitor the water level. The device powered by solar power will measure the water level near bridges regularly and when the level rises, it will send warning signals.

The system is operational in Trichy and it has been found to be very effective in sending messages on water level.
According to the system, the radar will sense water levels at regular intervals and send information to the electronic unit which in turn will send it to the central server here from where it will sent to local servers at stations adjacent to bridge.
If the nearby station authorities get caution messages then preventive steps can be taken before-hand, the official said.
Heavy rains had caused twin train mishaps last year in Madhya Pradesh and the recent flood in Chennai has severely affected train operations in the region.