Zhang Qian

zhqcindy@163.com

A TOTAL of 17 HSR trains departing from Shenzhen North Railway Station to cities beyond Changsha North Railway Station in Hunan Province were canceled Thursday because of floods that had severely impacted rail lines along the route.

To ensure safety, the railway department decided to temporarily suspend railway services between Miluo East Railway Station and Changsha station, which will affect all trains that normally pass through the two stations in Hunan Province.

It is not clear when railway services will resume. Passengers are reminded to pay close attention to their train information before heading to the railway station. Tickets can be refunded or changed within 30 days of purchase. No service charges will be applied.

Nationally, over 100 trains have been suspended after heavy rain flooded Liuyanghe Tunnel in Hunan Province along the high-speed railway between Beijing and Guangzhou on Thursday, according to railway authorities.

The tunnel has been closed and maintenance crews are using equipment to pump out the water, Guangzhou Railway (Group) Corp. said.

Trains that pass through Hunan and Hubei provinces have been affected. As of 10 a.m. Thursday, 104 trains had been suspended. Railway authorities have reminded passengers to stay up to date with information regarding the suspension.

In Hunan Province, heavy rain since June 22 has killed 27 people with eight still missing.