Cyclone Arnab speeds toward Andhra coast as multiple states ramp up emergency response

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclonic storm 'Arnab' to cross Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast as very severe storm by October 28: IMD | LIVE: Cyclone Arnab is moving west-northwestward over the Bay of Bengal and will intensify into a very severe storm before crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the morning of October 28. The India Meteorological Department states maximum sustained winds will reach 115 to 125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph. This system is the first cyclone to develop in the Bay of Bengal in 2026 that will affect the Indian coast. Officials report the storm was recently located about 610 km from Visakhapatnam and is moving at a speed of 15 km per hour.

State Preps

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to maintain round-the-clock vigilance. Over 4,800 fishing boats have returned safely and anchored at the Kakinada fishing harbour and other landing centres following government warnings. The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited mobilized personnel and machinery, opening 30 divisional control rooms and 11 circle-level control rooms. State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha discussed potential contingency plans with State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain because the cyclone threatens the November 1 urban local body elections.

Regional Impact

Meanwhile, Odisha prohibited fishing in the sea and banned tourist entry into hills, waterfalls, and dams across six districts. Red alerts for extremely heavy rain exceeding 200 mm are in place for Kakinada, Eluru, East and West Godavari, NTR, and Krishna districts, while orange alerts cover Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and other areas. Tamil Nadu continues to face heavy rainfall from the active northeast monsoon, prompting a red alert in Kodaikanal where over 20 houses flooded in the Moonjikkal-Dobikana area and local tourism ground to a halt. South Bengal districts like Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly also expect light to moderate rain through October 30.

Context

Cyclonic storms forming in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon season frequently bring destructive winds and heavy downpours to India's eastern seaboard. Authorities rely on early warnings from meteorological agencies to evacuate vulnerable coastal populations and secure vital infrastructure well ahead of landfall.