Cyclone Arnab Intensifies in the Bay of Bengal, Expected to Hit Andhra Pradesh Coast

Cyclone Arnab Approaches Eastern Coast of India

Visakhapatnam/Bhubaneswar. A cyclonic storm named 'Arnab' has formed in the central and adjoining western regions of the Bay of Bengal and is rapidly intensifying. It is moving towards the eastern coastal areas of India, particularly Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to a satellite bulletin released by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday morning, images from the INSAT-3DS weather satellite indicate that there is significant and intense cloud activity surrounding the system, suggesting that the cyclone is gaining strength.

The weather department forecasts that Cyclone Arnab is likely to escalate into a severe cyclonic storm by the night of October 26 and may reach an extremely severe cyclonic storm status by October 27. The system is expected to move northwestward and make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coastline on the morning of October 28. Wind speeds at the time of landfall are predicted to range from 115 to 125 kilometers per hour, potentially increasing to 140 kilometers per hour. Heavy to very heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions are anticipated in coastal Andhra Pradesh and surrounding areas.

In response to the potential impact, administrative preparations have been ramped up in the neighboring state of Odisha. The state government has imposed a complete ban on fishing in the sea and restricted tourist access to six vulnerable districts—Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Nabarangpur. Schools, colleges, and anganwadi centers in these districts will remain closed on October 28 and 29.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi has assigned eight ministers to oversee the preparations. Teams from the NDRF, ODRAF, and fire services have been deployed in coastal and low-lying areas. Residents in vulnerable regions are being relocated to safe shelters, and the state government has canceled the leaves of employees in affected districts and established control rooms.