Cyclone Arnab is barreling toward the Andhra Pradesh coastline, forcing authorities to order mass evacuations and step up emergency responses. By Tuesday morning, rain had already started to fall in several southern Odisha districts. The storm is on track to make landfall near Yanam and Kakinada by Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects Arnab to slam into the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts as a very severe cyclonic storm. Winds are projected to rage between 115-125 km/h, with gusts potentially hitting 140 km/h, by the morning of October 28.
To brace for impact, the Andhra Pradesh government has banned sea fishing and placed rescue teams on high alert. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered the evacuation of at least 89,000 people from six coastal areas, relocating them to 101 relief camps. The acuated, with 130 residents moved to safety in Kakinada city.
Roads and Buildings Minister B. C. Janardhan Reddy has directed officials to maintain road safety and ensure a seamless emergency response. The cyclone is predicted to unleash heavy rains over 13 districts on October 28 and 29, with wind speeds in 12 districts expected to reach 115 to 140 km/h.
Elsewhere, the IMD has cautioned of unusual rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds in Uttar Pradesh from October 28 to 31. A yellow alert has been issued for districts such as Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, and Varanasi, where winds could blow at 30 to 40 km/h. An orange alert is in place for October 29, warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds in several regions.
In Tamil Nadu, the monsoon wet spell is anticipated to pause, with rainfall expected to taper off across most of the state starting Tuesday. However, isolated moderate showers might occur over the southern and Western Ghats districts. Since the Northeast monsoon began in mid-October, the state has recorded an overall rainfall of 21.5 cm, which is 58% above the monthly average.
Since 1970, Andhra Pradesh has faced 61 cyclonic storms, with a few escalating into Very Severe Cyclonic Storms (VSCS). Arnab could become the 11th such storm to strike the state if it reaches the forecasted severity. The IMD categorizes cyclonic storms by wind speeds, with a VSCS defined as having speeds between 118-167 km/h.
As the cyclone approaches, the Andhra Pradesh administration is focusing on evacuating vulnerable populations and deploying disaster response teams. Officials are also underscoring the importance of heeding weather warnings and instructions to stay safe.
