Severe weather associated with Cyclone Arnab has affected aviation and rail operations, prompting travellers to monitor cancellations, delays and changing travel conditions.
New Delhi, October 29, 2026: Cyclone Arnab has disrupted transport services in parts of eastern and coastal India, highlighting the challenges faced by airlines, airports, railway operators and travellers during severe weather events.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had reviewed preparedness on October 27 following meteorological forecasts warning that Cyclone Arnab could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The ministry indicated that flights serving coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, were particularly vulnerable to disruption.
Other airports could experience secondary delays depending on aircraft movements, weather conditions and airline scheduling.
By October 29, reports had emerged of cancellations affecting services connected with Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Ranchi.
For passengers, the situation reinforces the importance of verifying flight status directly with airlines and airport operators before beginning their journeys.
Cyclone Arnab and the Aviation Impact
Strong winds, intense rainfall and reduced visibility can create challenging conditions for flight operations.
Airlines may delay departures, divert aircraft or cancel flights when operating conditions do not meet safety requirements.
Such decisions can affect passengers even when their departure airport is located outside the most severe weather zone.
This happens because aircraft often operate multiple flights in sequence.
If an aircraft cannot reach its intended destination, subsequent departures may be delayed or cancelled.
Crew scheduling limitations can also create complications.
Which Airports Have Been Affected?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation identified coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha as areas particularly exposed to operational disruptions.
Subsequent reports indicated that flights serving Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Chennai were affected.
Kolkata also experienced flight cancellations.
According to October 29 reporting, five IndiGo flights to or from Kolkata were cancelled on October 28 because of severe weather associated with Cyclone Arnab.
The cancellations included services involving Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Ranchi.
Air travel conditions can change rapidly, and the status of an airport or flight at one point should not be assumed to remain unchanged.
Passengers should confirm their individual flight details rather than relying exclusively on general disruption reports.
Why Airlines Cancel Flights During Cyclones
Aviation safety depends on multiple weather-related factors.
These include wind speed, crosswinds, visibility, rainfall intensity, runway conditions and the availability of safe diversion routes.
Airlines must also consider airport operating restrictions and aircraft-specific performance limitations.
Even if a storm does not directly pass over an airport, its outer weather bands may create conditions that affect operations.
Flight cancellations during severe storms are therefore generally safety-related decisions.
Passengers should avoid assuming that a delayed departure can proceed safely simply because the weather appears manageable at their immediate location.
Railway Services Also Face Disruptions
The impact of severe weather is not limited to aviation.
Rail operators may suspend or alter services when heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding or damaged infrastructure create operational risks.
Reports from eastern India indicated cancellation of several long-distance trains, including services connecting Howrah with destinations in southern and central India.
Passengers travelling by train should verify their train number and current status through official railway information services.
Travellers with connecting train and flight reservations should pay particular attention to the possibility of disruption across multiple transport systems.
What Passengers Should Do Before Leaving Home
Travellers scheduled to fly through potentially affected airports should take several precautions.
First, check the airline’s official website or application for the latest flight status.
Second, verify that the mobile number and email address associated with the booking are correct.
Third, review airline notifications concerning cancellations, rebooking arrangements and applicable refunds.
Fourth, avoid beginning unnecessary road journeys toward airports during severe weather warnings.
Finally, retain booking confirmations and communication records in case assistance is required.
Refunds and Rebooking: Understanding Passenger Options
When airlines cancel flights, passengers may be eligible for refunds or alternative travel arrangements depending on applicable regulations and the circumstances of the cancellation.
However, the precise entitlement can vary according to booking conditions, airline policies and regulatory requirements.
Severe weather is different from an airline-controlled operational problem, and this distinction can affect compensation rules.
Passengers should review the airline’s current disruption policy and relevant Directorate General of Civil Aviation guidance.
Refunds should be requested through official airline or authorised booking channels.
Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming to provide emergency refunds in exchange for payment details or one-time passwords.
What Travellers with Connecting Flights Should Consider
Passengers with onward international or domestic connections may face additional complications.
A delayed initial flight can affect the feasibility of reaching a connecting service.
Travellers should contact the relevant airline or booking provider to understand whether their itinerary can be reissued or adjusted.
Where multiple tickets have been booked separately, the protection available may differ from that provided under a single through-ticket itinerary.
This is another reason to avoid making assumptions about automatic rebooking.
Travel Insurance During Cyclone Disruptions
Travel insurance may provide certain protections for covered disruptions, but policies differ considerably.
Some policies cover specified delay expenses, while others exclude certain weather-related circumstances.
Travellers should examine policy wording, waiting periods, claim documentation and exclusions before assuming that a loss is covered.
Where insurance applies, maintaining proof of cancellation and receipts for eligible expenses can help support a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyclone Arnab affecting flights in India?
Yes. Aviation authorities issued preparedness advisories, and reporting on October 29 confirmed disruptions involving several eastern Indian routes.
Were flights cancelled at Kolkata Airport?
Yes. Reporting confirmed five IndiGo cancellations to or from Kolkata on October 28.
Are all flights from affected airports cancelled?
No. Disruption levels vary by airport, airline, route and time. Passengers must check their own flight status.
Can passengers receive refunds for cyclone-related cancellations?
Refund and rebooking eligibility depends on airline policies, booking conditions and applicable regulations.
Conclusion
Cyclone Arnab has demonstrated how severe weather can disrupt interconnected transport networks.
For passengers, timely information is essential.
The safest approach is to monitor verified airline, airport, railway and meteorological advisories, avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas and maintain flexibility until conditions stabilise.
Sources: Ministry of Civil Aviation preparedness statement dated October 27, 2026, and transport disruption reporting published October 29, 2026.
Travel Advisory: This article is a dated news report, not a live flight-status service. Weather conditions, airport operations and cancellation information may change after publication.
Leave a Reply