Is the "Black Bridge" near Ella safe after Cyclone Ditwah?
We are scheduled to take the train to Ella tomorrow. I know the floods from Cyclone Ditwah (late Jan) have receded, but I heard rumors that the famous "Black Bridge" track section is still unstable.
Is the train running the full route to Badulla, or does it terminate early?
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1 Answer from travellers
You are asking the right safety questions.
Current Status (Feb 9): The railway track has been inspected and is open, but trains are operating under strict "Speed Restrictions" (10 km/h) across the affected bridges between Nanu Oya and Ella.
Delays: Because of these slow zones, the "Blue Train" is currently running 2–3 hours late daily. If the schedule says arrival at 3 PM, expect 6 PM.
Safety: It is safe (engineers are monitoring it daily), but bring extra water and snacks. You will be sitting in the carriage longer than expected.
Thanks for the advice.
Scam Watch: ella
People outside stations offer to "help" buy tickets but charge large markups. They may buy cheap third-class tickets and sell as more expensive classes.
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