Cyclone Arnab Slams Andhra Pradesh: 3 Dead, Massive Destruction
Cyclone Arnab makes landfall in Andhra Pradesh with 150kmph gusts, leaving 3 dead and causing massive infrastructure and crop damage.
The coast of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam was battered early Wednesday morning as Cyclone Arnab landfall occurred between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam. Striking between 2:00 AM and 8:00 AM IST on October 28, 2026, the storm unleashed ferocious winds and torrential rain, leaving a trail of casualties and widespread devastation across the region.
The Fury of the Storm
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system hit the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds ranging from 125 to 135 kmph, while violent gusts peaked at 150 kmph. While the storm initially arrived as a very severe cyclonic storm, it began to weaken into a severe cyclonic storm following landfall. Forecasters expect it to further degrade into a cyclonic storm and eventually a deep depression by Wednesday evening.
Lives Lost and Massive Evacuations
Tragically, three deaths have been officially confirmed in Andhra Pradesh. In Bhimavaram, a 46-year-old man lost his life when a tree collapsed on him. In the Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts, two other individuals, including a 55-year-old woman, died due to electrocution.
To prevent further loss of life, authorities launched a massive evacuation drive. In Andhra Pradesh, figures suggest between 55,000 and 89,000 residents were moved from low-lying and coastal areas to safer shelters. The impact extended to neighboring Odisha, where Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that over 30,000 people were evacuated.
Infrastructure in Ruins
The aftermath of Cyclone Arnab has left the state's infrastructure in shambles. Power outages have hit over 2.53 million connections across 11 districts. The scale of the damage is particularly evident in Konaseema district, where more than 6,000 electricity poles were knocked down. Additionally, 93 roads in the East Godavari district have been damaged, hindering movement and relief efforts.
Housing and agriculture have also taken a severe hit:
- At least 31 houses have suffered structural damage.
- More than 80,000 hectares of horticulture and paddy crops have been destroyed or submerged under floodwaters.
Transport Paralysis and Relief Operations
Travel across the region has come to a virtual standstill. Flight operations at the airports in Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam have been suspended. Meanwhile, numerous train services have been cancelled, with disruptions expected to last until November 5.
In response to the crisis, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan are overseeing the relief operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 39 teams, including four that were airlifted on Tuesday, under the direction of DIG (Operations) SS Soodan. The Indian Air Force has also stepped in, delivering 23 tonnes of essential relief supplies to Vijayawada.
Ongoing Warnings
Despite the weakening of the storm, the danger is far from over. The IMD has issued flash flood warnings for 13 districts and cautioned that squally weather will continue to persist along the coast, urging residents to remain vigilant.