Cyclone Season on the East Coast: How Trains Are Affected
How cyclones on the Bay of Bengal disrupt east-coast trains, how Railways have responded to past storms, and how to track cancellations and get a refund.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 4 min read
Photo: Harsh Aryan / Pexels
The Bay of Bengal produces cyclones in two main seasons, and the post-monsoon period from October to December is one of them. A storm that crosses the coast between Odisha and Tamil Nadu can knock out the coastal lines for a day or two, and sometimes longer. This guide explains how trains are affected, how Railways have responded to past storms, and what to do if you are booked on a train that may not run.
Which trains and stations get hit
The lines most exposed are the ones that run along the coast or cross the low, flat deltas near landfall. In practice that means the Howrah to Chennai main line through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and the branches into Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and Puri. Trains on these lines can be cancelled, shortened, or held at a station until the wind and rain drop and the track is checked.
| Route | Example train | Typical timing in our timetable |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai to Bhubaneswar | 12842 Coromandel Express | Leaves Chennai Central 07:00, reaches Visakhapatnam about 19:25, Bhubaneswar about 01:55 next day |
| Howrah to Puri | 12837 HWH Puri SF Express | Leaves Howrah 22:30, reaches Puri 07:35 |
| Howrah to Puri, day train | 22895 Vande Bharat Express | Leaves Howrah 06:10, reaches Puri 13:00 (runs on most days, not Thursday) |
These are the timings in our database. They are useful for planning a connection, but the day of travel is what counts: a cyclone warning can change a train's route, halt point or departure time with little notice.
What past storms did to the schedules
The pattern is consistent. Railways issue cancellation lists as the storm approaches, and the lists get longer as the landfall date nears. Past examples (exact counts differ between reports, so none are quoted here):
- Cyclone Phailin, October 2013: Railways cancelled and diverted a large number of trains on the Odisha and Andhra coast ahead of landfall.
- Cyclone Fani, May 2019: Railways cancelled a large number of trains on the Odisha coastal line before and after landfall.
- Cyclone Jawad, December 2021: Railways cancelled dozens of trains over several days, mostly on routes from Visakhapatnam, Howrah and Puri.
The numbers differ from storm to storm. The lesson that holds is that a cyclone usually causes two waves of disruption: cancellations ahead of landfall, then a slow restart of services once the track is inspected and the wind drops.
Tracking a train during a cyclone warning
Do not rely on the printed timetable or on a single news headline. Use these checks, in this order:
- Live status first. Open the train's page on TrainLiveStatus, for example 22895 Vande Bharat, and look at its current status and the last station it reached.
- The station board. Check the departure board for Puri, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam or Howrah on the day, since a board can show a cancellation or change on the day.
- Official notices. The zonal railway (for Odisha, East Coast Railway) posts cancellation lists on its website and social media. Also check the India Meteorological Department bulletins for the storm track.
- The helpline. Call 139 for railway help. In an emergency, dial 112.
What to do if your train is cancelled
If the railway cancels your train, your ticket is refunded in full. This is different from a passenger-cancelled ticket, where the refund bands apply. If the amount you receive looks short, check your booking status first. For problem journeys where a claim is needed, how TDR refunds work explains the process.
Rebooking can be simpler than it looks. If the destination is reachable from a nearby station that is still running, check how alternate boarding stations work, or use the trip planner to find connecting trains that avoid the affected stretch.
Practical steps for travellers in the storm zone
- Keep the storm forecast in view. If a cyclone is forecast to hit within 24 to 48 hours of your journey, move the trip if you can.
- Stay in the station only if your train is confirmed to run. Crowds gather at stations during disruptions and waiting rooms fill up fast.
- Carry essentials. Medicines, a torch, a power bank, water and a few days of food. Trains that are held in the open may stay still for hours.
- Save the helplines. Store 139 for railway help and 112 for emergencies.
Flood and disaster helpline notes
Cyclone disruption often overlaps with flooding, and the advice in the railway helpline during floods and disasters applies here too. The 139 line remains the main number to call, and zonal railways publish event-specific control room numbers when a disaster is under way. For longer monsoon advice, see how to prepare for monsoon flooding and delays.
Before the season
If you travel the east coast in October to December, the simplest protection is to book trains that have a second option. Pick a day train and an overnight train on the same route, keep the ticket flexible where possible, and check the live status on the morning of travel. A cyclone is rarely a surprise for more than a day or two, and the railways usually give enough notice to change plans if you are watching.
What to pack
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
Will my train be cancelled if a cyclone is forecast?
Not always. Railways act on the forecast and the track conditions, so only some trains on the affected stretch may be cancelled or held. Check the live status of your train on the day of travel rather than assuming it will run or stop.
Do I get a full refund if the railway cancels my train during a cyclone?
If the railway cancels your train, the ticket is refunded in full, unlike a passenger-cancelled ticket where refund deductions apply. If the amount is short, check your booking status and claim through the standard refund route.
Which helpline should I call during a cyclone?
Call 139 for railway help and 112 for emergencies. Zonal railways also publish event-specific control room numbers during a disaster, and those are worth saving once a warning is issued.
How early should I check my train during a cyclone warning?
Check the live status the evening before and again on the morning of travel. Storm changes can be announced at short notice, so a check within a few hours of departure is the most reliable.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.
