Cyclone Arnab weakens into a depression as new system forms in Andaman Sea

Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a depression over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha, with the India Meteorological Department stating it will likely weaken further into a well-marked low-pressure area over north-Chhattisgarh and adjoining northwest Odisha by Thursday evening. The storm previously crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam early on October 28 as a very severe cyclonic storm, packing sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph that gusted up to 150 kmph. This severe weather washed away the road along Uppada coastal village in Kakinada District.

Weather Systems

Weather experts noted that a lingering low-pressure system near Tamil Nadu may have supplied extra moisture to Arnab, helping sustain its cloud bands and rainfall as it approached the Andhra coast. Independent weather analyst Ajith Kumar pointed out on X that this earlier system had brought nearly 10 days of widespread rains to Tamil Nadu and was tagged as Invest 90B. While research suggests moisture feeding likely occurred between the systems, they did not merge through a Fujiwara effect.

Context

Even as Arnab weakens inland, the IMD is tracking a fresh low-pressure area over the south Andaman Sea that could potentially intensify into a cyclonic storm and move towards northern Tamil Nadu. Tropical storms frequently form in the Bay of Bengal during the post-monsoon season, often bringing heavy rainfall to India's eastern coastal states.