Cyclone Arnab Intensifies, Heads for Andhra Coast; 16 Districts on Alert

Andhra Pradesh has stepped up evacuations and deployed disaster-response teams as Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab approaches its coast, with landfall forecast near Yanam by Wednesday morning.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), the storm could intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Sustained winds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall at isolated coastal locations.

Moving at 25 kmph over the preceding six hours, Arnab was about 300 km from Visakhapatnam, 360 km from Kakinada, 460 km from Machilipatnam and 530 km from Bapatla on Tuesday morning.

APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said the cyclone was expected to continue west-northwestwards until Tuesday evening before turning northwestwards towards the coast.

SHELTERS READY, EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY

Authorities have identified 16 districts covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas as potentially affected.

Across the state, 1,763 cyclone shelters have been readied and 3,185 nodal officers deployed to oversee relief operations. Evacuation arrangements have been activated across 2,107 Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward units to move vulnerable residents to safer locations.

National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force teams have been positioned across 11 high-risk districts.

Visakhapatnam is under an orange alert. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 50–60 kmph have also been forecast for parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Anakapalli.

BEACHES CLOSED, COASTAL MOVEMENT RESTRICTED

Public access to beaches has been banned, while movement along coastal roads is to be suspended from Tuesday afternoon.

Officials said all fishermen who had ventured out to sea had returned safely. A total of 30,043 fishing vessels have been anchored and secured at harbours.

Special medical arrangements have been made in cyclone-prone areas, and 2,613 emergency water tankers are on standby to address possible drinking-water shortages.

Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain indoors, follow evacuation instructions and monitor official advisories as the storm approaches.

With inputs from ANI