Cyclone Arnab: Red alert in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh braces for landfall on October 28

Cyclone Arnab is gathering strength over the Bay of Bengal, putting Odisha and Andhra Pradesh on alert as authorities race to prepare for heavy rain and powerful winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects the storm to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on the forenoon of October 28.

Odisha has mobilised 225 fire-service teams, more than 100 boats and specialised rescue equipment. The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for parts of the state, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in vulnerable districts. Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in affected districts are also reportedly being shut on October 28 and 29.

Cyclone Arnab: When and where will the storm make landfall?

The IMD said on October 26 that Cyclone Arnab was moving westwards over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. It is forecast to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on October 26 and a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27. The storm is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, with sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts reaching 140 kmph.

"It has intensified into cyclonic storm 'Arnab' today morning. By noon today, it is located over the central part of the Bay of Bengal, about 650 kilometres away from Kakinada," IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said.

He warned that sea conditions would deteriorate sharply, with wave heights potentially exceeding 14 metres on October 27. A storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying areas along parts of the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Which Odisha districts face red and orange alerts?

Rainfall associated with the cyclone is expected to reach Odisha from the evening or night of October 27. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts including Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Koraput on October 27.

On October 28, isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri. Heavy rainfall could also affect parts of western and coastal Odisha, raising concerns about flooding and landslides.

The IMD expects rainfall activity to continue into October 29, easing substantially from October 30. Authorities have urged fishermen not to venture into the sea and warned that railways, roads, flights, ports and shipping could face disruption.

How is Odisha preparing for Cyclone Arnab?

Odisha’s Fire and Emergency Services has identified Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Gajapati and Ganjam as priority districts. Inspector General of Police Umashankar Dash told ANI that 225 teams were being deployed, supported by more than 100 boats and a round-the-clock state command centre.

The National Disaster Response Force has deployed five teams in Odisha, mobilised four for Visakhapatnam and deployed another four for Chhattisgarh, according to NDRF officer Santosh Kumar Paswan, who spoke to ANI.

The Cabinet Secretariat said on October 26 that the National Crisis Management Committee had reviewed preparedness for the approaching cyclone. Authorities are coordinating rescue operations and monitoring vulnerable areas as the storm advances.

With landfall expected on October 28, officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow local advisories, avoid the sea and prepare for possible evacuation. The cyclone’s precise impacts will depend on its track and intensity over the next two days.

(With inputs from ANI)