Indian Railways: Big news for train passengers. South Central Railway (SCR) has issued a travel advisory for passengers in view of Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions to several areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and neighbouring regions. According to the railway’s press release dated October 27, 2026, the cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, during the forenoon of October 28 as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu and Mahabubabad on October 28. Heavy rainfall is also expected in Warangal, Hanamkonda, Suryapet and Nalgonda on October 28 and 29. In view of these weather conditions, several trains operating through the affected sections may be cancelled or diverted.
South Central Railway General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava reviewed the preparedness measures with senior railway officials, including Divisional Railway Manager R. Gopalakrishnan of the Secunderabad Division. The review covered vulnerable railway sections and bridges, patrol arrangements, the deployment of patrolmen and watchmen, and the monitoring of water levels in tanks. Officials also reviewed the positioning of boulders and sandbags, the availability of Accident Relief Trains (ARTs) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARMEs), and other emergency response arrangements.
The General Manager has directed all departments, particularly Operations, Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Commercial and Medical, to remain on high alert. Railway officials and supervisors have been instructed to closely monitor train movements, bridge conditions and water levels at vulnerable locations to ensure the safety of passengers, railway staff and infrastructure.
Passengers are advised to take the following precautions:
Check the latest train status before starting their journey, considering the possibility of heavy rain and cyclone-related disruptions.
Look out for SMS notifications regarding train cancellations, diversions and rescheduling sent to the mobile number provided during ticket booking.
Verify train running information through official railway sources and applications such as IRCTC, RailOne and NTES, or by calling railway enquiry number 139.
Follow updates published through print and electronic media.
Check official South Central Railway social media accounts and its website for information about cancellations, partial cancellations, diversions and rescheduling.
Contact railway authorities at the nearest station for train-related enquiries during the affected period. Passengers are advised to stay updated through official railway announcements and allow for possible changes to their travel plans as the cyclone approaches the coast.