Coastal States Intensify Preparations as Severe Cyclone Arnab Nears Landfall

PTI, Oct 27, 2026, Amaravati/Bhubaneswar: Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have stepped up preparations, including moving people to safer locations, as 'very severe' cyclonic storm Arnab hurtles towards the east coast and is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone was over the Bay of Bengal, about 170 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, at 11.30 am. The system is expected to make landfall with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, the agency said. Andhra Pradesh has been placed on high alert, with evacuations planned and precautionary measures underway to prevent loss of life and property, officials said.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the cyclone's impact is being felt, with heavy rainfall expected in the north coastal districts shortly. Srikakulam district is likely to experience heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, while strong winds have already begun in Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to shift people living in low-lying areas to safer locations, ensure essential supplies at relief camps and minimise cyclone-related damage.

Naidu spoke to collectors of districts likely to be affected and instructed officials to ensure the availability of food, drinking water and other essential supplies at relief camps. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain urged people to remain alert and follow safety precautions. Residents have been advised to stay indoors during the cyclone and avoid venturing outside amid strong winds. They should move to the nearest cyclone shelter if instructed by officials and stay away from the sea, rivers and ponds. The Indian Railways have placed around 600 km of tracks under close surveillance ahead of the cyclone's expected landfall, with safety protocols and rapid restoration measures in place across the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam divisions.

War rooms have been activated at zonal, divisional and Railway Board levels to facilitate round-the-clock monitoring, officials said. Traffic between Uppada and Kakinada has been disrupted due to rough sea conditions, affecting movement between surrounding coastal areas as waves continue to surge along the shoreline. Under the impact of the weather system, heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, lashed parts of Odisha, where the government aims to move around 48,000 people to safer locations.

Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh P Patil said around 11,000 people each would be shifted to safer locations in Gajapati and Nabarangpur districts. Evacuation drives were also underway in Malkangiri, Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Nuapada, he said. Schools in eight districts have been ordered to remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The IMD issued an orange warning, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall of 12-20 cm, for Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts. A yellow warning, indicating heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm, was issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Nuapada, Balangir and Boudh. Patil said 135 permanent cyclone shelters and around 1,600 temporary shelters had been prepared to accommodate people from vulnerable areas.