Odisha and Andhra Pradesh gear up as Cyclone Arnab approaches, while heavy rains continue across Tamil Nadu

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra coast by October 28; rains continue in Tamil Nadu | LIVE: The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified and is on track to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on the morning of October 28. The severe cyclonic system will bring dangerous winds of 115 kmph to 125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph.

Official Prep

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered round-the-clock watchfulness to protect citizens, deploying 10 NDRF teams and 11 SDRF squads for safe evacuation and prompt power restoration. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has sent eight ministers directly to at-risk districts to oversee safety measures and emergency response plans, keeping a strict zero-casualty target.

Regional Rains

Tamil Nadu continues to experience heavy rainfall driven by an active northeast monsoon. District authorities have declared school holidays for Monday in Ramanathapuram, specific taluks of the Nilgiris, and the Periyakulam block in Theni. The weather department predicts heavy downpours across several southern and delta districts, alongside thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 50 kmph in Puducherry and Karaikal.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon months, bringing destructive winds and heavy rains to India's eastern shoreline. Meteorological agencies track these low-pressure systems continuously to issue timely warnings and help state governments plan large-scale evacuations.