Chennai, Aug 18 (PTI): Southern Railway today said it has taken several initiatives to assist people in flood hit Kerala by operating trains through diverted routes and setting up help desks to assist stranded passengers.

Top officials of Southern Railway, including principal chief operations manager, chief engineers and mechanical engineers, led by General Manager R K Kulshrestha,participated in a review meeting to access the situation in Kerala, an official release said.

"In order to get Kerala connected, trains are being run to various destinations through the available diverted routes of Erode, Dindigul,Karur, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil", it said.

The release said 10 trains have been cancelled in view of floods and landslides in Kerala.

It said 21 passenger special trains started operating from today, while some services were started from Palakkad to other stations.

Catering stalls have been kept open round-the-clock to cater to the needs of stranded passengers at major railway stations in Kerala.

An emergency help desk has been set up at various stations to assist the stranded passengers, the release said.

"Schools and temple halls have been arranged to accomodate stranded passengers at Shoranur and Kozhikode", the release said, adding that Southern Railway was coordinating with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to help the passengers.

The second spell of heavy rains in Kerala since Ausust 8 has so far claimed 194 lives. APR APR APR 08182209 NNNNresence of basic education officer, Varanasi by August 19 and submit a complete report on or before August 21.

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