Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over west-central Bay of Bengal, triggering heavy rain in several parts of Odisha on Tuesday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclone moved west-north-westwards with a speed of 25 kmph and lay centred around 380 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha), 260 km southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 300 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 390 km east of Machilipatnam, 460 km east of Bapatla and 980 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram.
As the system is set to trigger heavy to extremely heavy rain in several areas, the weather agency has issued a red warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts. It is likely to continue to move west-north-westwards till evening of October 27 and thereafter, move north-westwards and cross Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of October 28.
Though the landfall is expected between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, south Odisha districts including Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain and gusty winds under its influence.
Southern Odisha districts are likely to experience winds of 40–50 kmph on October 27 and 28. Heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorms are also expected during this period.
The Odisha government is monitoring the situation and preparing to respond to the cyclone’s impact. District collectors in areas likely to be affected have deployed rescue teams and started evacuation measures where required.
As part of preparations to deal with the situation, Odisha has deployed 294 rescue teams across the possible affected areas in the state. The administration has deployed nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, 60 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and 225 Fire Services teams across various districts.
Officials said Ganjam has the highest deployment as two NDRF teams and nine SDRF teams have been stationed in the district.
The Cabinet Secretary, T. V. Somanathan, also held a meeting with the Chief Secretaries of four states, including Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on Monday. The meeting was held to review cyclone preparedness. He assured the states that the Centre would provide assistance if required.
