Cyclone Arnab Slams Andhra Coast: State on High Alert, Flights Grounded
Andhra Pradesh battles Cyclone Arnab with emergency alerts, road repairs at Uppada coast, and massive flight cancellations.
The state of Andhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert as Cyclone Arnab brings severe weather conditions to the region. The state administration is working tirelessly to protect lives and limit property damage, with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirming that the state machinery has been on active vigil since Tuesday night.
While no loss of life has been reported so far, the intensity of the storm has already left its mark on the coastline, triggering emergency responses and widespread travel disruptions.
Coastal Chaos: Uppada Road Damaged
The fury of the cyclone was most evident along the Uppada coast near Kakinada. High-intensity sea waves and severe coastal erosion have caused significant damage to the Uppada coastal road. To prevent further isolation of the area and safeguard the coastline, restoration and repair works have already been initiated to restore vital connectivity.
To ensure the safety of citizens, the government dispatched mobile emergency alerts to residents in vulnerable zones starting at 1:30 AM. Senior officials are maintaining a constant presence on the ground to monitor the situation in real-time.
Agriculture and Farmer Support
Beyond the infrastructure damage, the state is bracing for the impact on livelihoods. The government has issued directives to the Horticulture and Agriculture Departments to conduct swift ground-level assessments of crop damage.
Officials have been tasked with:
- Providing immediate technical guidance to farmers for crop recovery.
- Prioritizing the restoration of agricultural land.
- Ensuring that eligible cultivators receive timely financial and logistical support.
Aviation Paralysis: Flights Cancelled and Suspended
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that Cyclone Arnab could intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast with winds between 125-135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. This triggered a massive disruption in air travel.
Airport Closures
Flight operations were hit hard across the region:
- Visakhapatnam: Operations were suspended starting the afternoon of October 27.
- Vijayawada and Rajahmundry: All flights were suspended after 7 pm on October 27.
Airline Impact
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) reported significant cancellations:
- Air India: Six cancellations on the Delhi–Visakhapatnam–Delhi and Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi routes.
- Air India Express: 13 cancellations, primarily affecting Visakhapatnam flights to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada, as well as routes between Varanasi, Bangkok, and Visakhapatnam.
- IndiGo: Suspended all flights at Visakhapatnam, and later at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry.
- Akasa Air: Cancelled the Delhi–Bhogapuram return service on October 28.
While Alliance Air continues to operate normally, the MoCA warned that knock-on delays could affect flights in Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur depending on the storm's trajectory.
Safety Warnings for Travelers
With waterlogging and road closures expected across coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged passengers to check their flight status via apps or helplines before heading to the airport. Travelers are advised not to leave for the airport unless their flight is confirmed and to factor in extra travel time due to potential road blockages.
Airlines have been instructed to provide extra support to senior citizens, parents with infants, and passengers with reduced mobility during this crisis.