Cyclone Arnab Travel: Flights, Trains and Refunds in Andhra

Cyclone Arnab travel plans across coastal Andhra Pradesh are being upended today, 28 October. The very severe cyclonic storm was almost stationary near the Yanam coast on Wednesday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects it to cross between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the forenoon, so flights and trains to the region have been cancelled.

If you are flying, taking a train or driving to Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada or the Godavari districts this week, here is what has changed. Also, here is what you can do about it.

Where the storm stands

At 6:30 am, IMD placed the storm about 30 km east of Narsapur and 45 km south southwest of Yanam. It expected sustained winds of 115 to 125 km/h, with gusts up to 140 km/h. Because the system is moving slowly, the risk of extremely heavy rain stays high. Visakhapatnam had already recorded 217 mm of rain, Down To Earth reported.

IMD has also warned of flash floods in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Odisha and Chhattisgarh until late on 28 October. Meanwhile, four Telangana districts, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu and Mahabubabad, are under a red alert for the day.

Cyclone Arnab travel by air: what airlines have said

Air India and Air India Express warned that the weather may affect flights to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. They asked passengers to check flight status on the airline website before leaving home. They also cautioned that roads could be slow, so allow extra time to reach the airport.

IndiGo has cancelled several flights, including Vijayawada services to and from Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, plus many Visakhapatnam flights. The airline says it is contacting affected passengers on the phone number or email used at booking. For a cancelled flight, you can pick a refund or a different flight through its Plan B option.

Under DGCA rules, an airline that cancels your flight must offer a choice between a full refund and an alternative flight. However, extra compensation usually does not apply when severe weather is the cause, because it counts as an extraordinary circumstance.

Trains cancelled on the east coast

South Coast Railway has cancelled 61 trains as a precaution, DD News reported. South Central Railway separately cancelled 11 trains, most of them due to start on 27 October. These include the Godavari Superfast Express from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam and the Garib Rath from Secunderabad to Visakhapatnam. The Howrah to Secunderabad Falaknuma Express leaving on 29 October is also cancelled.

Railway officials say more cancellations, diversions or rescheduling are possible. Updates go by SMS to the mobile number given at booking, so keep that phone close.

How refunds work when the railway cancels your train

If you booked an e-ticket, the refund is automatic, and you do not need to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt. For a ticket bought at a reservation counter, however, you must claim the refund at a counter. You have three days to do so, not counting the scheduled departure day.

A short checklist before you set out

Check your flight or train status on the official app or website, not on forwarded messages.
Make sure your booking has your current phone number and email, because alerts go there.
If your flight is cancelled, choose between a refund and rebooking before you accept a credit shell.
Keep counter train tickets safe and note the three day refund window.
Stay off low lying coastal roads and beaches until local authorities say it is safe.

Visakhapatnam flyers should also plan the airport trip with care. The Week reported that the Vizag Aero Express bus to the new Bhogapuram airport takes 75 to 110 minutes from the old airport. So in heavy rain, leave well ahead of time.

What comes next

Cyclones usually weaken after they move over land. Still, flooded tracks and roads can hold up services for a day or two after landfall. For that reason, a flexible trip may be easier to move by a few days. In short, follow official updates for Cyclone Arnab travel, use the refund rules in your favour and do not rush onto wet roads.

For more on handling cancellations, see our guide to what travellers need to know when flights are cancelled.