Cyclone Arnab Approaches Andhra Pradesh Coast With Very Heavy Rain Threat

Severe Storm Alert

The cyclonic storm named Arnab formed over the Bay of Bengal on Monday morning and is moving toward the coast of Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department expects the system to turn into a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds touching 140 kilometres per hour by Wednesday noon. It is likely to cross the coast close to Yanam or Kakinada. Red alerts are in place for seven districts for Tuesday due to the approaching threat.

Rainfall And Wind Warnings

Isolated extremely heavy rainfall of 200 millimetres or more is expected on Tuesday in Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, West Godavari, Alluri Sitharama Raju, and Anakapalli districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging from 70 to 200 millimetres is predicted for Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Bapatla, Srikakulam, and Parvathipuram Manyam districts. Gales with speeds of 90 to 110 kilometres per hour will hit coastal areas, while Rayalaseema faces winds up to 50 kilometres per hour. Fishermen must stay away from the rough sea.

State Preparedness

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to evacuate people from flood-prone zones and shift 4,711 pregnant women to hospitals. Authorities have deployed seven National Disaster Response Force battalions and eight State Disaster Response Force battalions. Officials confirmed that 30,043 fishing boats have safely returned to harbours, and reservoirs are preparing to store 10 to 12 tmcft of water. The power distribution company APEPDCL has opened multiple control rooms and requested extra teams and materials for quick restoration work. Public assistance numbers include 112, 1070, and 18004250101.

Context

Coastal districts in Andhra Pradesh face frequent cyclonic threats from the Bay of Bengal during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. State disaster management authorities routinely deploy relief forces and set up control rooms well in advance to minimise loss of life and property during such severe weather events.