Cyclone Arnab Alert: Very Severe Storm to Hit Andhra Coast
IMD warns of Cyclone Arnab intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm before hitting Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a critical warning as Cyclone Arnab Andhra Pradesh is expected to make landfall on October 28, 2026. Currently moving west-northwestwards over the Eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal, the system is predicted to intensify significantly into a "very severe cyclonic storm" before striking the coast.
Path and Intensity of the Storm
According to the IMD’s Bhubaneshwar unit, the storm is projected to reach the Westcentral Bay of Bengal near the Andhra Pradesh coast by the morning of October 28. The system is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, specifically between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.
The weather agency warns that the storm will carry maximum sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts potentially reaching up to 140 kmph by the forenoon of October 28. The intensity is expected to ramp up on Tuesday, October 27, with wind speeds increasing from 75 kmph to between 100-125 kmph.
Current Position and Movement
As of 11:00 PM on October 25, the deep depression was centered over the Eastcentral and Southeast Bay of Bengal, moving at a speed of 15 kmph. The precise coordinates were recorded at Latitude 15.3°N and Longitude 89.7°E. To provide a sense of scale, the storm was located:
- Approximately 520 km north-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands)
- 730 km east-southeast of Vishakhapatnam
- 820 km east-southeast of Kakinada
- 920 km east-southeast of Machilipatnam
- 990 km east of Bapatla
State Governments on High Alert
The impending disaster has triggered urgent mobilization across several states. In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered officials to maintain a state of high alert. During a review meeting on Monday, the Chief Minister emphasized maximum preparedness to minimize the storm's impact and instructed all departments to coordinate closely to prevent public hardship.
District administrations in Andhra Pradesh have been specifically directed to:
- Establish dedicated control rooms.
- Provide timely and accurate guidance to the general public.
Meanwhile, Odisha is also bracing for the impact. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that the state government has reviewed the potential risks and assigned specific responsibilities to various departments to ensure the state is ready before the system makes landfall.
Precautionary Measures in Tamil Nadu
The effects of the warning are already being felt in neighboring Tamil Nadu. In the Thoothukudi district, a cyclone warning has led to a complete halt in fishing activities. Mechanized boat fishermen have remained ashore as a precautionary measure, avoiding the sea until the danger passes.