The Bay of Bengal has once again shown its fierce side, as Cyclone Montha swept through the region, bringing life in coastal Andhra Pradesh to a grinding halt. Consequently, the fallout was immediate and severe for thousands of travellers who were either rushing home or trying to leave the state. The powerful storm forced aviation authorities to make difficult yet necessary decisions to ensure public safety.
This sudden disruption serves as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable force and the domino effect it has on our daily lives. Therefore, understanding the full scale of the cancellations is vital for anyone planning travel through the region during cyclone season.
Complete Shutdown at Vizag
The vibrant city of Visakhapatnam (Vizag), a major port and travel hub, bore the absolute brunt of this severe weather event. For instance, all 32 flights—comprising both domestic and international movements—scheduled to operate out of Vizag Airport (VGA) were cancelled on Tuesday. This decisive move represented a complete grounding of operations, something rarely seen outside of a major natural disaster.
Furthermore, two Air India Express flights had already been preemptively cancelled the day prior, signaling the seriousness of the approaching storm. The airport director confirmed the complete operational pause, highlighting that authorities were strictly following comprehensive safety guidelines from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for both pre-cyclone and post-cyclone phases. Protecting aircraft and, more importantly, human life was the top priority. Thus, while frustrating for passengers, the cancellations were a crucial safety measure implemented to avoid any potential tragedy.
Wider Impact Across Andhra Pradesh
The travel chaos was not confined to Vizag alone; similarly, other major transport centres in Andhra Pradesh also faced significant disruption. For example, Vijayawada Airport cancelled a total of 16 flights on the same day. However, five movements managed to operate from Vijayawada, showing a slightly different level of impact compared to the complete shutdown in Vizag. Also, the sacred city of Tirupati saw four flights cancelled, affecting pilgrims and tourists alike.
The extensive cancellations didn't stop with air travel. Ground transport suffered just as much, compounding the misery for commuters and families. In addition, officials across the South Central Railway (SCR) zone reported that a staggering 120 trains were cancelled across Monday and Tuesday combined. This is a common and predictable impact of cyclones in India, where heavy rainfall and strong winds can damage railway tracks, overhead electrical equipment, and signal systems, making travel entirely unsafe.
Essential Travel Tips During Cyclone Season
Navigating travel during the annual cyclone season requires extra vigilance, especially for those in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh.
Here are some essential tips to follow:
- Monitor Official Sources: Always check official airline websites or the AAI portal for the latest updates instead of relying on third-party apps.
- Keep Baggage Flexible: Since flight cancellations are possible, only pack essential items in cabin baggage if you must travel, making quick changes easier.
- Contact Airlines Proactively: If you have a flight scheduled, furthermore, try to call your airline directly or use their specific app to confirm your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Check Refund/Reschedule Policies: Therefore, understand your rights regarding flight or train rescheduling and refunds as soon as a cancellation is announced.
The complete cancellation of all 32 flights at Vizag due to Cyclone Montha demonstrates the severe challenges posed by these weather systems. It underscores the importance of a coordinated disaster management approach, ensuring that public safety takes precedence over scheduled operations. Ultimately, while frustrating, this level of disruption is a necessary evil to keep people safe.
