Cyclone Arnab makes landfall along Andhra coast as IMD tracks severe weather system

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Arnab's landfall process continues along Andhra coast | Highlights: The landfall process of the very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is continuing along the Andhra Pradesh coast with its centre remaining very close to the coastline, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Landfall Details

The storm hit the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to south of Yanam, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125 to 135 kilometres per hour gusting up to 150 kilometres per hour, starting around 1:10 a.m. to 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday. The northern spiral band has further moved over land, and weather officials state the process will continue for another two to three hours.

Ground Impact

Heavy rain has lashed northern Andhra Pradesh, leading to one fatality after a 65-year-old man named A. Pinni Devudu died in Visakhapatnam from contact with a fallen live electrical wire. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation reported 206 uprooted trees, with commissioner Ketan Garg deploying 30 clearing teams. Flight operations faced severe disruptions, with 21 cancellations on Tuesday across Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada airports, alongside 15 more cancelled at Vijayawada for Wednesday. Railways also faced major halts, with South Coast, East Coast, and South Eastern railways cancelling dozens of trains. Meanwhile, thousands remain in relief camps across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, where authorities readied thousands of shelters and medical teams.

Context

Severe cyclonic storms bring destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and dangerous storm surges that threaten coastal infrastructure and public safety. Authorities routinely order evacuations, transport suspensions, and school closures in path-affected regions to prevent loss of life during extreme weather events.