Cyclone Arnab: South Central Railway cancels 11 trains as storm nears AP coast
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab, rated 'very severe', is hours away from making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast — and the disruption has already begun. South Central Railway has cancelled 11 trains with more cuts likely, the IMD has issued red alerts across Telangana districts, and rail officials are on emergency footing at vulnerable bridges and sections from Kazipet to Dornakal.
Key Takeaways
South Central Railway cancelled 11 trains on 27 October 2026 due to Cyclone Arnab .
Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on the forenoon of 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm.
The IMD has issued a red alert for Khammam , Bhadradri Kothagudem , Mulugu , and Mahabubabad on 28 October .
South Coast Railway has separately cancelled 61 trains , significantly amplifying overall rail disruption.
Accident Relief Trains and emergency equipment have been positioned at Kazipet and Dornakal ; all departmental heads placed on high alert.
Passengers with reserved tickets will be notified of changes via SMS .
South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled 11 trains on Tuesday, 27 October, as Cyclone Arnab — classified as a 'very severe' cyclonic storm — barrelled through the Bay of Bengal and prepared to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam (near Yanam) during the forenoon of 28 October.
Trains Cancelled and Services Affected
Ten trains whose journeys were scheduled to begin on 27 October have been cancelled, along with one more set to depart on 28 October. The cancelled services include the Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Superfast Express, Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar New Visakha Express, Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam Godavari Superfast Express, Mahabubnagar-Visakhapatnam Superfast Express, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Garibrath Superfast Express, Lingampalli-Kakinada Town Cocanada Superfast Express, Lingampally-Narsapur Express, Lingampalli-Kakinada Port Gowthami Superfast Express, Hazur Sahib Nanded-Sambalpur Nagavalli Superfast Express, Charlapalli-Srikakulam Road Special, and Srikakulam Road-Charlapalli Special.
The Nagrasol-Narsapur Express has been partially cancelled between Charlapalli and Narsapur. Additionally, the Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express departing Howrah on 29 October stands cancelled. Separately, South Coast Railway has already announced cancellation of 61 trains, bringing the combined disruption to a significant scale across the region.
IMD Alerts and Affected States
The IMD has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, and Mahabubabad on 28 October. Heavy rainfall is also forecast over Warangal, Hanumakonda, Suryapet, and Nalgonda on 28 and 29 October. The storm's path is expected to affect Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, with further cancellations and diversions likely as the situation evolves.
SCR's Safety Preparations
Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, General Manager of South Central Railway, reviewed safety measures and preparedness with Dr R. Gopalakrishnan, Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division, and other officials. According to SCR, vulnerable sections and bridges have been identified, patrolling arrangements reinforced, and watchmen deployed at critical locations. Tank water levels are also being monitored.
Srivastava further reviewed the positioning of boulder, sandbag and ballast rakes, along with Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARMEs) at Kazipet and Dornakal. All departmental heads have been instructed to remain on high alert. Officers and senior supervisors at both divisional and headquarters level are closely monitoring train operations, bridge conditions, and water levels at vulnerable points.
Passenger Advisory
Passengers have been urged to plan journeys with awareness of prevailing weather conditions. SCR has stated that any changes — cancellations, diversions, or rescheduling — will be communicated via SMS to mobile numbers registered at the time of booking reserved tickets. Further service changes are expected as the cyclone makes landfall.
Point of View
A corridor that has seen repeated cyclonic hits in recent years. The pre-emptive cancellation of 11 trains is prudent, but the broader tally — over 70 services suspended across two railway zones — points to the scale of vulnerability in the Andhra-Odisha belt. What deserves scrutiny is not just the immediate response but the adequacy of permanent infrastructure hardening along bridges and coastal sections repeatedly flagged as vulnerable. Emergency positioning of Accident Relief Trains is reactive; long-term cyclone-proofing of this corridor remains an unfinished agenda.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trains have been cancelled due to Cyclone Arnab?
South Central Railway cancelled 11 trains, including the Secunderabad-Howrah Falaknuma Superfast Express, Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar New Visakha Express, Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam Godavari Superfast Express, and several others serving the Visakhapatnam and Kakinada corridors. The Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express departing on 29 October is also cancelled.
When and where is Cyclone Arnab expected to make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, during the forenoon of 28 October 2026 as a very severe cyclonic storm, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Which districts are under IMD red alert because of Cyclone Arnab?
The IMD has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, and Mahabubabad on 28 October. Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Warangal, Hanumakonda, Suryapet, and Nalgonda on 28 and 29 October.
How will passengers be informed about train cancellations?
South Central Railway has stated that any cancellations, diversions, or rescheduling will be communicated via SMS to the mobile numbers submitted by passengers at the time of booking reserved tickets. Passengers are advised to check before travelling.
What emergency measures has South Central Railway put in place?
SCR General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava has reviewed vulnerable sections and bridges, confirmed deployment of patrolmen and watchmen, and positioned Accident Relief Trains and Accident Relief Medical Equipment at Kazipet and Dornakal. All department heads have been placed on high alert.
