Amaravati/Bhubaneswar: Amaravati/Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Arnab began crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam, close to Kakinada, at around 1:20 am on Wednesday, unleashing intense rain and powerful winds across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the very severe cyclonic storm’s landfall process was expected to be completed between 2 am and 4 am on October 28, while southern Odisha prepared for flooding and disruption.
The weather office had advanced its landfall forecast after Arnab picked up speed to 18 kmph in the hours before reaching the coast.
“Very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” is interacting with the land surface and the outer spiral band has entered into the land. Due to faster movement, the landfall of the cyclone is expected early. It is likely to make landfall during the early hours (2-4 AM) of 28th October,” the IMD said.
Fierce Winds, Coastal Surge
The IMD projected that Arnab would cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, just south of Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm. At landfall, maximum sustained winds were expected at 125–135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.
The storm’s approach placed the Kakinada–Yanam belt at particular risk of a major storm surge. Authorities warned that low-lying coastal stretches could remain inundated for several hours around the time of landfall.
Andhra Districts On Edge
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall battered Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema, while strong winds swept across the coastline. The IMD’s red alert also covered East and West Godavari, Krishna and Kakinada, with flooding and transport disruption likely.
Disaster-management teams were activated, shelters were readied and traffic was restricted on multiple roads as coastal Andhra Pradesh remained under the highest warning category. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was receiving regular updates from officials.
“Officials informed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that the cyclone has started making landfall along the coast,” the CMO said.
The CMO said the landfall process was likely to be completed by 4 am, but stressed that rain and strong winds would continue even after the cyclone crossed the coast. People in affected areas were advised to stay indoors while the system moved inland.
Odisha Shuts Schools, Moves Thousands
Cyclone Arnab’s main landfall impact is in Andhra Pradesh, but Odisha is facing its indirect effects: widespread heavy rain, gusty winds, school closures and large-scale evacuations, especially across southern districts. The IMD has issued a red alert for October 28 in several southern Odisha districts, warning of extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms and squally conditions.
The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy showers, in Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. Winds may reach 60–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph in the worst-affected areas.
A broader yellow warning covers districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Khurda, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Nuapada, Balangir and Boudh, where 7–11 cm of rain is expected.
At about 5:30 am on October 28, the IMD said Cyclone Arnab was “practically stationary” along the Andhra Pradesh coast, and that its landfall process would continue for roughly another two hours.
The IMD’s hourly bulletin also said the system had moved only northwestward at about 3 kmph over the previous three hours, which explains why the coastal crossing was taking longer than initially expected.
Although the cyclone’s centre was crossing Andhra Pradesh, southern Odisha faced heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding. The state closed schools in 16 of its 30 districts and shifted more than 30,000 people to cyclone shelters against a target of 48,000.
Odisha deployed 225 fire-service teams and NDRF personnel for preparedness and rescue operations. The IMD issued red and orange alerts for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in vulnerable districts.
Massive Shelter Network
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Puducherry’s Yanam region collectively arranged nearly 4,000 cyclone shelters and evacuated thousands from exposed coastal settlements. NDRF and state disaster-response personnel were kept on standby for rescue, relief and restoration work.
In Yanam, around 100 personnel, along with JCB machines and tractors, were deployed on Tuesday morning to clear garbage and blockages from drainage channels. Authorities urged residents to strictly follow official safety advisories as the cyclone neared the coast.
Rain To Persist Inland
The IMD expects Arnab to weaken gradually after landfall as it moves inland, but heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and southern Odisha. Chhattisgarh may also receive isolated extremely heavy showers on October 28.
The disruption extended to air travel, with several flights cancelled at Gannavaram Airport in Krishna district. Passengers were advised to check flight status with airlines before travelling.
Officials asked residents to avoid damaged power lines, coastal areas and flooded roads, and to follow evacuation instructions until authorities issue an all-clear.
