Severe Cyclone Arnab Heads Towards Andhra Pradesh Coast with Heavy Rains Expected Across Multiple States

A powerful cyclone named Arnab is rapidly taking shape in the Bay of Bengal, and the Alipore Weather Office warns it will soon hit the coast. The deep depression moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph and lay centered on October 25 over the Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal. It was located about 520 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, 730 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam, 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 920 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam, and 990 km east of Bapatla.

Storm Movement And Impact

The system is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm, turn into a severe cyclonic storm by the morning of October 27, and grow into a very severe cyclonic storm. It is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, 2026. During landfall, the maximum sustained wind speed will reach 115 to 125 kmph, with gusts hitting up to 140 kmph. The storm's effects will last from October 26 to October 29.

Weather Warnings And Rain

The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for heavy rain in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. An orange alert is in place for Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, and West Bengal. In Bengal, Kolkata and several other districts will see heavy rain and strong winds starting from the afternoon, with coastal districts facing severe weather from Wednesday to Friday.

Context

Bay of Bengal cyclones typically form during the post-monsoon transition period, drawing energy from warm ocean waters before striking the eastern coast of India. State administrations and disaster response forces routinely preposition teams in vulnerable districts like those along the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts ahead of such landfall events.