Cyclone Arnab weakens into deep depression as death toll rises and relief work spans multiple states

UPDATE - follow-up to Cyclone Arnab to weaken into depression on October 29, says IMD | LIVE updates: Cyclonic storm Arnab has weakened into a deep depression and is expected to further weaken into a depression on Thursday morning and a well marked low pressure area by the evening, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Impact And Relief

At least 17 districts of southern Odisha have been affected by heavy rainfall, while Andhra Pradesh has recorded seven deaths due to falling trees, electrocution, wall collapses, and other cyclone-related incidents. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a relief and compensation package for affected families, farmers, fishermen, and businesses. Mr. Naidu also wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek central assistance for extensive damage to crops, houses, roads, and power infrastructure across districts including Eluru, West Godavari, and Vizianagaram. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that prior preparation and evacuations helped the state achieve its zero-casualty target. More than 1,80,000 people had been evacuated across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha ahead of the storm.

Regional Effects

Operations at three airports in Andhra Pradesh were suspended by the Civil Aviation Ministry, while flight operations remained largely normal at Bhubaneswar airport except for a cancelled nine-seater service on the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam route. In Visakhapatnam, where severe winds and heavy rain left a trail of destruction, political candidates for the upcoming civic body polls shifted their focus from campaigning to relief and restoration work. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission postponed the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency elections from November 3 to November 5. In neighbouring Telangana, Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka spoke with Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar to offer personnel and essential materials for power restoration. Additionally, the IMD forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds for isolated places in 12 districts of Telangana, heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal until October 31, and closed schools in several Chhattisgarh districts including Sukma, Narayanpur, Bijapur, Dantewada, and Rajnandgaon.

Context

Tropical cyclones frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season, bringing destructive winds and heavy rains to India's eastern coastline. Meteorological departments track these weather systems continuously using radar networks to issue timely warnings and coordinate disaster management responses across affected states.