Cyclone Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early on Wednesday, October 28, bringing powerful winds of up to 150 kmph and prompting a red alert in six districts of neighbouring Odisha due to the threat of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclonic storm completed its landfall by 8 am after crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, southwest of Yanam. The cyclone brought sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph.
Cyclone Moves Inland, Expected to Weaken
The IMD confirmed that the cyclone’s centre had moved completely over land by 8 am. At 8:30 am, the system was located near Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh, approximately 20 km to the east-northeast. It was also around 40 km from Yanam and 60 km from Kakinada.
The weather department expects Cyclone Arnab to move north-northwestwards over the next 48 hours while gradually losing intensity. The system is likely to weaken into a cyclonic storm within six hours of the latest assessment before further weakening into a deep depression over the following six hours.
Despite the expected reduction in wind speeds, the cyclone’s impact is likely to extend across neighbouring regions, particularly southern Odisha, where authorities are preparing for adverse weather conditions.
Red Alert Issued in Six Odisha Districts
The IMD has issued a red alert for six districts of Odisha: Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur.
These areas are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy downpours possible at isolated locations. The forecast has raised concerns about potential flooding, waterlogging and disruptions to normal life.
Manorama Mohanty, director of the IMD’s Bhubaneswar centre, said rainfall intensity and wind speeds were expected to increase across Odisha. Several parts of the state had already recorded widespread rainfall during the preceding 24 hours.
Some districts could also experience wind speeds of 60–70 kmph, with gusts reaching 80–85 kmph, she said.
Coastal Odisha Also Braces for Heavy Rain
Apart from the six districts under red alert, parts of coastal northern Odisha are also expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall as the cyclone’s effects spread across the region.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea until October 29, citing the continuing impact of the storm on weather conditions along India’s eastern coastline.
Authorities and residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain alert and follow official weather advisories as Cyclone Arnab moves inland and gradually weakens.