Cyclone Arnab tracks toward Andhra coast as Odisha steps up precautions

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclonic storm 'Arnab' to cross Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast as very severe storm by October 28: IMD | LIVE: Odisha has ramped up safety measures against approaching Cyclone Arnab by stopping fishing in the sea and barring tourists from visiting hills, waterfalls, and dams across six districts, according to officials. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has sent eight ministers to vulnerable districts to supervise preparations as the storm draws nearer.

Impact and Weather Alerts

The India Meteorological Department states that Arnab is the first cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal affecting the Indian coast in 2026. The storm is set to strengthen into a severe cyclone by Tuesday and a very severe system before hitting land. It will cross the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during Wednesday morning hours. Sustained winds will reach 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 140 kilometres per hour. Red alerts for extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres in 24 hours cover several coastal Andhra areas including Kakinada, Eluru, East and West Godavari, NTR, and Krishna districts. Orange alerts for very heavy rain between 110 and 200 millimetres are active in Srikakulam, Parvathipurammanayam, Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts.

Context

This severe weather threat builds on ongoing monsoon downpours that have already battered parts of Tamil Nadu and the Nilgiris over recent days. Coastal states regularly face severe weather risks during this period, prompting state disaster management bodies to coordinate round-the-clock emergency responses.