Air India Warns of Flight Disruptions in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada as Cyclone Arnab Approaches

Air India on Tuesday issued a travel advisory warning passengers of possible flight disruptions to and from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on October 27 as Tropical Cyclone Arnab approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The airline urged passengers to check their flight status on its official website before leaving for the airport and allow extra time for their journey. It also cautioned that adverse weather conditions could disrupt road travel, potentially affecting passengers’ airport transfers.

In an advisory posted on X, Air India said weather conditions associated with the cyclone could affect flight operations to and from the two Andhra Pradesh cities. Passengers have been advised to monitor updates through the airline’s official flight status page.

The advisory comes as state authorities intensify preparations for the potential impact of Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab over the west-central Bay of Bengal.

Cyclone Arnab: When and Where Is It Expected to Make Landfall?

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the cyclone was centred approximately 300 km from Visakhapatnam, 360 km from Kakinada, 460 km from Machilipatnam and 530 km from Bapatla as of Tuesday morning.

The storm was moving at around 25 kmph during the preceding six hours. It was forecast to move west-northwestwards before turning northwest towards the Andhra Pradesh coastline, with a possible landfall near Yanam by Wednesday morning.

The IMD warned that the system could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before reaching the coast.

Coastal areas were expected to experience sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph. Extremely heavy rainfall was also forecast at isolated locations along the coast, raising concerns over flooding, transport disruptions and damage to infrastructure.

Andhra Pradesh Steps Up Disaster Preparedness

Authorities across Andhra Pradesh have intensified emergency preparations in vulnerable areas, with evacuation arrangements and disaster-response teams being readied ahead of the cyclone’s expected approach.

Preliminary assessments indicate that 16 districts, covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas, fall within the projected impact zone.

According to figures cited by state authorities, 1,763 cyclone shelters have been prepared, while 2,907 control rooms have been established at district and mandal levels. A total of 3,185 nodal officers have also been deployed to coordinate preparedness and relief operations.

Evacuation protocols have been activated across 2,107 Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward units to help move vulnerable residents to safer locations.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been positioned across 11 high-risk districts to carry out rescue and relief operations if required.

What Should Air Passengers Do?

Passengers travelling to or from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada have been advised to take the following precautions:

• Check flight status: Visit Air India’s official website for the latest information on departures, arrivals and possible schedule changes.
• Reach the airport early: Allow additional time for travel, as heavy rain and strong winds could affect road conditions.
• Monitor airline notifications: Check for updates regarding delays, cancellations or other operational changes.
• Plan airport transfers carefully: Account for possible waterlogging, traffic congestion and disruptions caused by adverse weather.

With Cyclone Arnab approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, flight operations may be affected depending on the storm’s track, intensity and local weather conditions.

Passengers should continue to monitor official airline announcements and IMD bulletins before beginning their journeys.