Cyclone Arnab Triggers Major Rail And Flight Cancellations Across South India

Train and Flight Cancellations

South Central Railway announced the cancellation of popular daily express trains towards Visakhapatnam, including the Godavari, Gautami, Visakha, Falaknuma, Narapur, and Garib Rath services, ahead of Cyclone Arnab. Indian Railways has canceled more than 70 trains in total as a safety measure. Flight services to and from Visakhapatnam are also heavily affected. IndiGo stated that affected passengers are being notified and can opt for refunds or alternate flights through its Plan B facility. Air India Express warned that weather conditions could impact flights to and from both Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, adding that road travel to airports may also face delays.

Official Warnings and Landfall

According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone was located around 260 kilometres southeast of Visakhapatnam, 300 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada, and 460 kilometres east of Bapatla. Railway officials urge passengers to plan journeys carefully as the storm is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, on Wednesday as a very severe cyclonic storm. South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava reviewed safety arrangements, inspected vulnerable sections, and checked bridge water levels and emergency resources positioned at Kazipet and Dornakal.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall to India's eastern coastal states. Transport networks routinely suspend operations and adjust schedules days in advance to prevent accidents and protect passengers from severe weather hazards.