Cyclone Arnab Today: Flights And Trains Disrupted, Rain Alerts In Andhra And Bengal – What Passengers Need To Know

Cyclone Arnab Today: Cyclone Arnab hit Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Wednesday with winds up to 150 kmph and heavy rainfall. The cyclone caused havoc in some parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, uprooting trees, damaging electric poles and houses.

Cyclone Arnab also affected flights from Kolkata airport owing to cancellation or diversion of many flights owing to bad weather. At the same time, the IMD predicted rains in Kolkata as well as other parts of West Bengal due to the approaching system.

While Kolkata and surrounding areas were relatively dry till late Wednesday evening, rainfall of light to moderate intensity was expected later on Wednesday as well as Thursday. Travellers who had to travel by air and railway were requested to be updated regarding their flights or train timings.

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Cyclone Arnab Landfall In Andhra Pradesh: What Happened?

Cyclone Arnab’s leading edge hit the Andhra Pradesh coast just before 2 am on Wednesday. But the cyclone’s center stayed nearly static about three hours off shore before continuing its journey inland, reaching coastal areas at around 5.30 am. The cyclone made full landfall around 8 am.

In a weather bulletin released by the India Meteorological Department on Wednesday afternoon, the very severe cyclonic storm was reported to have made landfall over the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam after moving northwestward over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

It is expected to track further north-northwestward within the next 48 hours and weaken gradually, the weather department reported.

Cyclone Arnab caused heavy rainfall and high winds, resulting in damage to trees, electricity posts and buildings in some regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Flights Cancelled At Kolkata Airport

Flight services at the Kolkata Airport were impacted due to gusty winds, unfavorable weather conditions, and operational constraints due to the cyclone. A spokesperson from the airport mentioned, “Some of the flights that were scheduled for Calcutta Airport were cancelled or faced disruptions because of respective airlines as a preventive measure due to bad weather, gusty winds, and operational problems caused by the cyclone in coastal areas.” From the information obtained, three IndiGo incoming flights and two outgoing flights were cancelled.