NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 27, 2026: Union Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed preparedness for Tropical Cyclone TC02B (Arnab), ahead of its expected landfall on 28 October 2026. Safety protocols and rapid restoration arrangements are in place across South Coast Railway (SCoR) and East Coast Railway (ECoR), with approximately 600 km of railway track under close watch across vulnerable sections.
War rooms are active at the Zonal, Divisional and Railway Board levels, with round-the-clock monitoring underway. Senior railway officials are stationed at key locations, and emergency resources have been positioned to facilitate a swift response to possible disruptions. Passenger safety remains the top priority.
Key Points
Close Monitoring: Approximately 600 km of railway track is under close watch across vulnerable sections, including areas under Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam divisions.
War Rooms Activated: War rooms at Zonal, Divisional and Railway Board levels are operational, with round-the-clock monitoring of the evolving situation.
Relief Wagons Positioned: Wagons carrying repair materials have been stationed at Krishna Canal, Bitragunta, Mamidipudi, Visakhapatnam, Palasa and Ponduru to support emergency restoration.
Emergency Equipment on Standby: Diesel locomotives, power units and ambulances are on standby at key junctions. Earthmovers, tree-cutting machines and restoration tools have been positioned at short intervals for quick deployment.
Hourly Weather Monitoring: Wind speeds and water levels are being checked every hour to track changing conditions and identify potential risks to railway infrastructure.
Senior Officials on the Ground: Railway officials are stationed at strategic locations to oversee preparedness and coordinate field-level response measures.
Coordination with Disaster Management Authorities: Coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Authorities is ongoing to ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.
Safety arrangements and restoration resources remain in place across SCoR and ECoR to address possible disruptions, protect railway infrastructure and facilitate the safe restoration of services as conditions permit.
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