Cyclone Arnab Intensifies: Very Severe Storm to Hit Andhra Coast Oct 28
IMD issues red alert as Cyclone Arnab intensifies into a very severe storm, heading for Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts by October 28.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a high alert as Cyclone Arnab landfall becomes imminent. Currently situated over the West Central Bay of Bengal, the severe cyclonic storm is expected to intensify further into a "very severe cyclonic storm" within the next 12 hours, posing a significant threat to the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Tracking the Storm: Current Position and Movement
As of 05:30 pm on Monday, the IMD reported that the system was moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 17 kmph. The storm was centered near latitude 15.6°N and longitude 87.3°E, placing it at the following distances from key locations:
- 490 km south-southeast of Gopalpur, Odisha
- 490 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- 560 km east-southeast of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
- 660 km east of Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- 730 km east of Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh
- 730 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands
Landfall Predictions and Wind Speeds
The weather department predicts that the system will maintain its west-northwestward trajectory until the evening of October 27. Following this, it is expected to shift northwestwards toward the mainland.
The storm is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, specifically between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. At the time of landfall, the IMD warns that the system will likely carry maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with powerful gusts reaching up to 140 kmph.
Red Alerts and Emergency Preparedness
Due to the severity of the storm, the IMD has issued a "red message" warning for the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha. The region is bracing for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the potential for landslides.
Odisha on High Alert
Odisha has been placed under red and orange alerts. The weather department expects widespread rainfall on October 28, with some districts likely to experience isolated extremely heavy downpours. These conditions are expected to persist into October 29 before beginning to recede on October 30.
Rescue Operations Mobilized
In response to the threat, authorities have scaled up disaster management efforts. A massive deployment of 225 fire service teams and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been carried out to ensure preparedness and facilitate swift rescue operations as the storm approaches.