Attock Landslide Halts Trains, Leaves Passengers Stranded

ATTOCK: Train operations on the Attock–Mari Indus–Multan railway section were suspended for several hours on Friday after heavy rain triggered a landslide between Jhamat and Chhab railway stations in Jand tehsil, blocking the track and leaving passengers stranded.

According to railway maintenance officials, mud, stones and debris slid onto the railway line after rainfall in the area, forcing authorities to stop movement as a safety precaution. One train was reported to be stranded near Tunnel No. 129, while the 202-Up passenger train was stopped at Jhamat Railway Station.

The disruption affected hundreds of travellers, including women, children and elderly passengers, many of whom were caught off guard by the sudden halt. The delay created hardship for families who had not prepared for a long stop and were waiting without clarity on when the line would reopen.

Passengers complained that basic emergency support was limited during the disruption. Zahura Batool, one of the female passengers, said safety was important but travellers should also receive drinking water and timely information during such situations. Another passenger, Bisma Khattak, said families with children faced particular difficulty because there were no proper arrangements for refreshments.

Sanaullah Niazi, another traveller, urged Pakistan Railways to strengthen its emergency communication system. He said uncertainty increases anxiety among passengers and that regular announcements would help people understand the expected duration of delays and make better decisions during breakdowns or weather-related interruptions.

Railway officials said emergency teams were dispatched to the affected track soon after the blockage was reported. Technical staff worked for several hours to remove debris and inspect the line before allowing trains to resume movement, with officials stressing that safety clearance was necessary before restarting services.

The track was eventually cleared on Friday evening after a final inspection, and officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported. The incident, however, once again highlighted the vulnerability of railway routes passing through hilly and uneven terrain during periods of heavy rainfall.

The Attock region has faced similar disruptions in the past. In April, passengers were also stranded when a landslide blocked the railway track between Jhalar and Salmanabad stations in the Kala Chitta mountain range, around 25 kilometres from Attock, after severe weather sent large boulders onto the line.

For Pakistan Railways, the latest disruption underlines the need for faster landslide monitoring, better passenger support and stronger weather-response planning on vulnerable sections. As the monsoon season approaches, authorities are expected to remain on alert for further rain-related risks that could affect rail connectivity, passenger safety and intercity travel schedules.