Cyclone Arnab Intensifies: Very Severe Storm to Hit Andhra Coast
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam on October 28.
The west-central Bay of Bengal is witnessing a dangerous escalation as Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is currently on a trajectory to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, specifically between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by the forenoon of October 28.
Tracking the Storm's Path
As of 11:30 pm on October 26, the system was centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal, moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 23 kmph. The IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar provided the precise coordinates of the storm at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 86.0°E.
To understand the scale of the threat, the storm's position was recorded as:
- About 350 km southeast of Visakhapatnam
- 400 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha
- 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada
- 520 km east of Machilipatnam
- 590 km east of Bapatla
The IMD predicts that the cyclone will maintain its west-northwestward movement until the evening of October 27, after which it will shift toward a northwestward direction. The Doppler Weather Radar at Visakhapatnam is keeping the system under continuous, high-alert surveillance.
Expected Impact and Wind Speeds
The storm is expected to make landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm. Residents in the affected coastal regions should prepare for extreme weather conditions, with maximum sustained wind speeds predicted between 115-125 kmph and gusts potentially reaching up to 140 kmph.
Precautionary Measures in Odisha
While the primary landfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh, neighboring Odisha is taking stringent precautions. The Ganjam district administration has declared holidays for all Anganwadi centres from October 27 to 29.
To ensure that the vulnerable are not left without support, the administration has mandated that Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) remain stationed in their local areas. Furthermore, Dry Ration and Take-Home Ration (THR) will be delivered directly to the doorsteps of beneficiaries during the closure period.
Additionally, the Odisha State Transport Authority has issued guidelines and precautionary measures to ensure safe vehicle movement and overall transport preparedness during the storm's influence.
Government Warning Against Misinformation
In an effort to prevent panic, the Odisha government has issued a stern advisory to media houses and digital platforms. The government has cautioned against the dissemination of speculative forecasts, unofficial cyclone tracks, or alarming predictions sourced from social media.
The advisory emphasizes that all reports must be based on official updates from:
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)
- District administrations and other authorized government bodies
Media organizations have been urged to exercise due diligence and avoid presenting third-party models as confirmed warnings to ensure public safety and order.