Cyclone Arnab Alert: 53 Trains Cancelled, Schools Shut As Eastern India Braces For Landfall

Cyclone Arnab could bring winds of up to 140 kmph to Andhra Pradesh. With 53 train services cancelled, evacuations underway and schools shut, how are states preparing for landfall?

Cyclone Arnab Updates: Rail passengers travelling on October 27 and 28 face disruptions as South Coast Railway has withdrawn 53 train services ahead of the expected landfall of very severe cyclonic storm Arnab. The approaching storm has also prompted evacuation preparations in Andhra Pradesh, closures of educational institutions in vulnerable areas and the deployment of disaster response teams across the eastern coast.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the cyclone to reach the coast by the forenoon of Wednesday, October 28. Its forecast indicates sustained winds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching 140 kmph, making preparations for strong winds, heavy rainfall and localised disruption a priority.

Train Passengers Advised To Check Cancellations Before Departure

The 53 services cancelled by South Coast Railway were scheduled to operate on October 27 and/or 28. The railway has asked passengers to check the train-wise cancellation list, confirm their travel dates and verify the latest running status before leaving for a station. It has also apologised for the inconvenience, saying passenger safety is its priority.

A round-the-clock war room has been set up to coordinate railway preparedness. Teams are monitoring vulnerable bridges, tracks, yards and signalling equipment, while patrol staff have been posted at sensitive locations. Materials required for emergency track maintenance are being kept ready.

Passenger assistance arrangements include help desks at major stations and additional counters to handle refunds for cancelled tickets. Catering units have been instructed to maintain adequate food stocks. Medical teams, ambulances and alternative power supplies are also being kept on standby.

Odisha has separately reported eight train cancellations and the short-termination of two services as part of its precautions.

Where And When Is Cyclone Arnab Expected To Make Landfall?

The IMD’s 5.30 am bulletin on Tuesday, October 27, placed the storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal. It had moved westwards at 22 kmph during the preceding six hours. The system was expected to continue towards the west-northwest until Tuesday evening before turning northwestwards. Its projected crossing point is the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coastline between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam.

The storm is forecast to retain its very severe cyclonic storm classification at landfall, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts of up to 140 kmph.

The rainfall outlook extends beyond the immediate coastal area. Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain on October 27 and 28. Odisha is forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 28, Chhattisgarh on October 28 and 29, and East Uttar Pradesh on October 29.

Andhra Pradesh Arranges Evacuations, Shelters And Emergency Funding

Andhra Pradesh is preparing for the cyclone through evacuation planning, financial assistance and the deployment of emergency personnel. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reviewed the state’s readiness and directed officials to issue timely warnings and take measures to limit damage.

According to a report in India Today, schools in affected areas have been closed, beaches have been shut, and traffic on coastal roads is expected to be suspended from Tuesday afternoon.

One of the specific preparations involves relocating 4,711 pregnant women from vulnerable areas to health centres and hospitals. Officials have also confirmed that fishermen who had ventured out to sea have returned safely.

The state government has released Rs 27 crore to 20 districts for relief and emergency operations. Seven districts – Bapatla, Krishna, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada and Anakapalli – have been allocated Rs 2 crore each. The remaining 13 districts have received Rs 1 crore each.

Fifteen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been positioned at vulnerable locations, including Kakinada, Konaseema, Rajahmundry, Eluru and Machilipatnam. Two teams are stationed at Yanam. Three teams each are also positioned at the NDRF battalion headquarters in Krishna district and its regional response centre in Visakhapatnam.

The emergency inventory includes water tankers, fire services and rescue equipment. Authorities have identified 1,763 cyclone shelters and opened control rooms across districts and mandals.

Reservoir levels are another concern as rainfall approaches. Six reservoirs, including Tandava, Raiwada and Yeleru, could reach full capacity following the forecast precipitation.

Odisha Limits Public Movement And Deploys 30 Disaster Response Teams

Odisha is preparing for heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 80 kmph, although the cyclone’s expected landfall is further south along the coast. Educational institutions in six southern districts – Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur – will remain closed on October 28 and 29. Anganwadi centres in Ganjam are also scheduled to close on October 27.

Fishing has been prohibited, and public access to beaches, hills, waterfalls, dams and other tourist destinations in vulnerable locations has been restricted. Authorities are moving people from low-lying areas and landslide-prone parts of the Eastern Ghats to safer places. Pregnant women, senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities are being prioritised.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assigned eight ministers to oversee preparedness. Cyclone shelters have been readied, official leave has been cancelled in affected districts, and control rooms have been activated to coordinate rescue and relief work.

The state has deployed 24 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams and six NDRF teams. Farmers have been advised to harvest crops that are 80-85 per cent mature and store them safely to limit potential losses.

The Odisha government has also cautioned media organisations and digital platforms against circulating false, misleading or speculative cyclone forecasts and warnings.

Anganwadi Beneficiaries To Receive Rations At Home

Cyclone-related closures are also being addressed through arrangements to maintain nutritional support for Anganwadi beneficiaries.

Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) have been asked to remain stationed in their respective areas. Dry ration and Take-Home Ration (THR) will be delivered directly to beneficiaries’ doorsteps during the closure so that access to nutritional support continues.

Rain Alert Extends From West Bengal To The Andaman Islands

The potential effects of Cyclone Arnab extend well beyond the expected landfall area, with several states facing rainfall alerts over the coming days.

In West Bengal, heavy rain is forecast between October 28 and 30 in South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in the sub-Himalayan region could receive heavy rainfall on October 29 and 30. A landslide warning has been issued for Darjeeling.

The IMD has also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh on October 28 and 29, and heavy rain in East Uttar Pradesh on October 29. The National Crisis Management Committee has called for preparedness in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh in view of the expected weather-related impact.

In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, all schools have been ordered to remain closed for two days until Tuesday, October 27. The administration has urged residents to take precautions as the storm approaches the Bay of Bengal region.

Authorities Continue Monitoring The Storm

The National Crisis Management Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, has reviewed preparedness measures as agencies coordinate their response to the cyclone.

With the storm forecast to cross the coast near Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday morning, officials are focusing on timely warnings, evacuation of vulnerable residents, shelter readiness and continuity of essential services.

Residents in coastal, low-lying and landslide-prone areas are advised to follow official instructions. Rail passengers should check cancellation notices and train status before travelling, as services may be affected by precautionary measures.