Indian Railways Halts Major Services
Indian Railways has announced extensive cancellations and diversions as a precautionary measure. The South Coast Railway (SCoR) and South Central Railway (SCR) have cancelled over 100 trains passing through the affected regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
These cancellations primarily affect services scheduled for October 27, 28, and 29, disrupting routes connecting major hubs like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Secunderabad, and Howrah. Key services, including several Vande Bharat Express, Garib Rath, Falaknuma Superfast Express, and Godavari Superfast Express trains, are among those suspended. Some long-distance services, such as the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Night Express, will remain cancelled until early November. Passengers are strongly advised to check the NTES app or the official Indian Railways website for the latest updates on their train status before starting their journey.
Widespread Flight Cancellations at Coastal Airports
The aviation sector has also been significantly impacted. Flight operations at Visakhapatnam (VTZ) were suspended from Tuesday afternoon, while services at Vijayawada (VGA) and Rajahmundry airports were halted after 7 p.m. on October 27. All flights at Vijayawada airport have been cancelled for Wednesday, October 28. Major airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express have cancelled dozens of flights. Air India issued a travel advisory for services to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, warning of disruptions. IndiGo suspended all its flights at Visakhapatnam. The cancellations affect routes connecting the coastal cities to major hubs like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi. Passengers are urged to check their flight status directly with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
Inter-State and Local Bus Services Suspended
State and private bus operators in both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have suspended services to ensure passenger safety. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has cancelled around 160 bus services originating from Visakhapatnam, affecting routes to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Kakinada, and other destinations. Similarly, in Odisha, bus services between the capital city of Bhubaneswar and various towns in southern Odisha have been suspended. The Odisha Private Bus Owners' Association confirmed that over 150 of its buses will not operate. Authorities in Odisha have also been directed to seal unsafe routes, including submerged bridges and overflowing roads, to prevent any vehicular movement through hazardous areas.
Official Advisories and Safety Measures
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts Cyclone Arnab will make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, on the morning of October 28, with wind speeds of 125–135 kmph gusting up to 150 kmph. In response, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been deployed in high–risk districts across both states. Authorities have evacuated over 180,000 people from low–lying coastal areas to cyclone shelters. Officials are strongly advising the public to avoid all non–essential travel, stay indoors, and follow official directives. The public has also been cautioned against spreading or believing unverified, speculative forecasts about the cyclone's path and impact, which can cause unnecessary panic.
