Several trains connecting Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been cancelled as Cyclone Arnab moves closer to the east coast. South Central Railway (SCR) has fully cancelled 11 trains and partially cancelled one more, while East Coast Railway has cancelled and short-terminated several services in Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh. Across railway zones, around 53 trains have been cancelled so far.
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, October 28. Railways said the cancellations were made as a precaution, keeping passenger safety in mind.
Cyclone Arnab: South Central Railway Cancelled Trains List
South Central Railway announced the following cancellations in view of the cyclone:
| Train No. | Route | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12704 | Secunderabad to Howrah | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 17016 | Secunderabad to Bhubaneswar New | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 12728 | Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 12862 | Mahbubnagar to Visakhapatnam | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 12740 | Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 12776 | Lingampalli to Kakinada Town | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 17256 | Lingampalli to Narasapur | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 12738 | Lingampalli to Kakinada Port | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 20810 | H.S. Nanded to Sambalpur | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 07037 | Charlapalli to Srikakulam Road | October 27 | Cancelled |
| 07038 | Srikakulam Road to Charlapalli | October 28 | Cancelled |
| 12788 | Nagarsol to Narasapur | October 27 | Partially cancelled |
Most of the affected SCR trains run from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Lingampalli towards Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Odisha and West Bengal, the routes that pass through the coastal areas in the cyclone’s path.
East Coast Railway Trains Cancelled Due to Cyclone Arnab
East Coast Railway has also cancelled or changed several services on routes through southern Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh, where heavy rain is expected:
| Train | Change | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 18515/18516 Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Express | Cancelled | October 29 to November 4 |
| 18107/18108 Rourkela–Jagdalpur Express | Cancelled | Late October to early November |
| 18005/18006 Howrah–Jagdalpur Express | Cancelled on selected dates | October 27 to 31 |
| 58538/58537 Visakhapatnam–Koraput Passenger | Cancelled | October 27 to 31 |
| 58501/58502 Visakhapatnam–Kirandul Passenger | Cancelled | October 27 to 31 |
| 18447 Bhubaneswar–Jagdalpur Express | Short-terminated at Rayagada | October 27 to 30 |
| 18448 Jagdalpur–Bhubaneswar Express | Will start from Rayagada | October 28 to 31 |
A 24-hour railway control room has been set up, and South Coast Railway has also opened a war room to monitor the situation. More changes are likely as the cyclone moves inland.
Cyclone Arnab Latest Update: Landfall Expected on Wednesday
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab has strengthened into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. On Tuesday morning, it was around 260 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and moving west-northwest at about 22 kmph.
| Cyclone category | Very severe cyclonic storm |
| Expected landfall | Wednesday morning, October 28 |
| Landfall area | Andhra Pradesh coast, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam |
| Wind speed at landfall | 115 to 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph |
| Worst-hit areas | North and central coastal Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha |
Heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected over north and central coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha. In Odisha, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri, and a yellow alert for 16 other districts.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on High Alert
Andhra Pradesh has deployed NDRF and SDRF teams across 11 districts, while Odisha has five NDRF teams on the ground. In Odisha, schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres have been closed in six southern districts, and around 5.7 lakh people have been identified as vulnerable, with evacuations underway. Fishing has been stopped and tourist boat services have been suspended for three days.
How to Check Train Status During Cyclone Arnab
Passengers travelling on routes through Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over the next few days should check their train status before leaving home. The latest status can be checked on:
- The National Train Enquiry System (NTES) website or app
- The IRCTC website and app
- Railway enquiry number 139
- Official social media handles of South Central Railway and East Coast Railway
Refund for Cancelled Trains
For trains cancelled by the railways, passengers are entitled to a full refund. For e-tickets booked on IRCTC, the refund for a cancelled train is processed automatically to the original payment account. Passengers with counter tickets can get their refund at railway reservation counters by showing their ticket within the allowed time.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres have also been closed in several coastal districts. Check the full district-wise list in our report on the Cyclone Arnab school holiday.
This article will be updated as railways announce more cancellations, diversions and restorations.