Published Oct 27, 2026 | 2:52 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2026 | 2:52 PM
SCR urged passengers to check their train status before starting their journey and follow its official channels for updates.
Synopsis: The South Central Railway cancelled 11 trains and partially cancelled another on 27 October as very severe cyclonic storm Arnab approached the Andhra Pradesh coast, disrupting services to Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Srikakulam. The India Meteorological Department forecast landfall near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by 11.30 am on 28 October, with winds of 125–135 kmph and heavy to extremely heavy rain across several districts on 28 and 29 October.
The South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled 11 trains and partially cancelled another on Tuesday, 27 October, as very severe cyclonic storm Arnab approached the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Most of the cancelled trains were bound for coastal destinations, including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Srikakulam. The affected services originated from seven stations, five in Telangana, besides Nanded in Maharashtra and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. SCR urged passengers to check their train status before starting their journey and follow its official channels for updates.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast in several districts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its advisory issued at 8.30 am on Tuesday, said Arnab was over the west-central Bay of Bengal and was moving west-northwestwards at 20 kmph.
It forecast that the storm would cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by 11.30 am on Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds of 125–135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph.
The IMD forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on 28 and 29 October in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts and regions.
The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up preparations ahead of the cyclone’s landfall. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to evacuate residents of low-lying and flood-prone areas to cyclone relief shelters, mobilise rescue teams and take measures to minimise damage to life, property and crops.
He instructed officials to prioritise the evacuation of elderly people, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and infants. Officials informed him that arrangements were being made to move 4,711 identified pregnant women to primary health centres, community health centres and hospitals.
Medical teams and ambulances are to be kept ready in the affected districts. Seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are to be deployed across 11 districts. Additional forces are to remain on standby in NTR and Visakhapatnam districts.
The administration has also been directed to coordinate with the Marine Police, Navy and Coast Guard for rescue and relief operations.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sreshta Ladegaam)
