News Desk: Cyclone Arnab has disrupted railway services along India's eastern coast, with at least 22 express and passenger train services cancelled or suspended between October 27 and November 5. Several other trains are operating on altered routes or with changes to their departure and destination stations as authorities respond to the impact of the cyclone.
Among the major services affected are the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul and Rourkela-Jagdalpur trains. Most services on these routes have been cancelled on selected dates between October 29 and November 4. The Howrah-Jagdalpur Samaleswari Express has also undergone changes to its departure schedule.
The Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express will terminate at Rayagada instead of Jagdalpur between October 27 and October 30. Similarly, the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express will originate from Rayagada rather than Jagdalpur between October 28 and October 31. These changes are temporary measures introduced in view of the cyclone's impact and potential disruptions along the railway network.
Passengers planning to travel over the coming days have been advised to check the latest train status before leaving for stations. Updates on cancellations, rescheduling and route diversions are available through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) and the official Indian Railways website. Travellers should verify their specific train number and journey date, as the restrictions vary across services.
Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast early Wednesday, October 28, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. The India Meteorological Department said the system crossed the coast between 2 am and 8 am, with its centre moving completely over land by 8 am.
At landfall, the cyclone packed maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph. It subsequently weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm and was expected to lose further intensity as it moved inland.
The storm has also caused damage along the Andhra Pradesh coastline. Strong sea waves and coastal erosion damaged sections of the Uppada coastal road near Kakinada, prompting authorities to begin restoration and repair work to restore connectivity and protect vulnerable stretches of the coastline.
The Andhra Pradesh government has placed the state administration on high alert, with disaster response agencies working to minimise damage and protect residents. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed additional teams to support emergency operations, while state and district-level agencies continue to monitor the situation.
Although the cyclone has weakened after landfall, heavy rainfall, strong winds and localised flooding remain concerns in affected areas.
Rail passengers are urged to confirm their train's operating status before starting their journey and follow official railway advisories until normal services are restored.
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