Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Arnab is likely to hit the coast between Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam and Yanam in Puducherry as a very severe cyclonic storm on Thursday forenoon.
“It will hit the coast between Visakhapatnam and Yanam as a very severe cyclostorm. The wind speed will be 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 150 kilometres per hour. These wind speeds are typical of a very severe cyclostorm, and they are large-scale damaging winds,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Tuesday.
Cyclone Arnab is likely to inflict widespread damage to houses, power infrastructure, trees and standing crops in Odisha and adjoining states due to strong winds, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flooding and possible landslides forecast in several areas.
Mohapatra told reporters the storm could bring destructive winds to parts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, posing a threat to settlements, infrastructure and agriculture.
In parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly the belt between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, wind speeds could reach 90 to 120 kmph.
The IMD chief said Southern Odisha was likely to experience wind speeds of 60 to 80 kmph, with gusts reaching 90 kmph, after landfall of Cyclone Arnab on Wednesday.
The impact is expected to be felt in districts like Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Rayagada, where the system was likely to approach on the evening of October 28, Mohapatra warned.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: 22 Trains Cancelled In Odisha, ECoR Strengthens Safety Measures
Similar wind conditions have been forecast in parts of southern Chhattisgarh, including Sukma, Dantewada and Bastar, as well as parts of northeastern Telangana, including areas between Mahbubnagar and Khammam.
“We have recommended regulated off-shore transport. The sea is currently very rough. We’re seeing phenomenal sea conditions right now. Waves up to 14 meters high are forming. This makes it unsafe for ships and boats. The tidal waves combined with the cyclone could cause flooding in this area,” Mohapatra said.
“The East Godavari district will see the highest peak surge. We expect a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 meters. This could flood low-lying areas with saltwater. You can expect heavy to extremely heavy rainfall today and on the 28th in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.”
Thereafter, Mohapatra said the cyclone is expected to move inland, affecting parts of southern Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and northern Andhra Pradesh before moving towards eastern Madhya Pradesh and gradually weakening.
The IMD is monitoring the system round the clock, and issuing updates and advisories every three hours, Mohapatra said.
He urged the public to rely on official information and not believe rumours or unverified reports about the cyclone.
#WATCH | Delhi | On cyclone Arnab, IMD DG, Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra says,”It will hit the coast between Visakhapatnam and Yanam as a very severe cyclostorm. The wind speed will be 125 to 135 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 150 kilometers per hour. These wind speeds are typical of a very severe cyclostorm, and they are large-scale damaging winds. Because of this, there’s a risk of power and communication disruptions. Standing crops like paddy and all the horticulture crops in this area have a high chance of suffering large-scale damage due to the wind. We have recommended regualted off shore transport. The sea is currently very rough. We’re seeing phenomenal sea conditions right now. Waves up to 14 meters high are forming. This makes it unsafe for ships and boats. The tidal waves combined with the cyclone could cause flooding in this area. The East Godavari district will see the highest peak surge. We expect a storm surge of 1 to 1.5 meters. This could flood low-lying areas with saltwater. You can expect heavy to extremely heavy rainfall today and on the 28th in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. After that, the cyclone will cross near Yanam and then move in a north-northwest direction. This will affect extreme South Odisha and adjoining North East Chhattisgarh, north east Telangana…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2026
