Visakhapatnam: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red-level cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining south Odisha coast after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Arnab.
The weather system is expected to strengthen further into a very severe cyclonic storm before reaching the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rain possible in some areas. Winds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph during the expected landfall.
Cyclone Arnab Likely to Intensify Further
According to the IMD bulletin issued on Monday morning, Cyclone Arnab was centred over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am. The system had moved westwards at around 15 kmph over the preceding six hours.
At the time, it was located around 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 610 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It was also about 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 830 km east of Machilipatnam and 910 km east of Bapatla.
The IMD expects the cyclone to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on October 26. It is then likely to strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27 before moving northwestwards towards the coast.
The storm is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28.
Heavy Rain, Strong Winds Expected Across Coastal Districts
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned that the next three days will be critical. Its Managing Director, Prakhar Jain, has urged residents to follow safety precautions as the cyclone approaches.
Strong winds could begin affecting coastal areas as early as the morning of October 27. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across North Andhra and the central coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with extremely heavy rainfall possible in isolated locations.
Districts likely to be affected include Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari, along with other parts of North Andhra.
The IMD has also forecast extremely heavy rainfall for coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 27 and 28. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Preparedness, NDRF Teams Deployed
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the state’s preparations on Sunday, focusing on the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas and the arrangements being made at relief centres.
He directed officials to ensure the availability of food, drinking water and medical care, along with measures to restore electricity wherever required. Naidu also asked all government departments to work in coordination to manage the potential impact of Cyclone Arnab.
As part of the response plan, 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are being deployed for relief and rescue operations.
Authorities are preparing for the cyclone’s expected impact as coastal districts brace for strong winds and intense rainfall over the coming days.