Cyclone Arnab Slams Uttar Pradesh: Yellow Alert Issued for 43 Districts
Cyclone Arnab brings heavy rain and wind to Uttar Pradesh. IMD issues yellow alert for 43 districts as Gorakhpur and Terai regions brace for impact.
The state of Uttar Pradesh is currently grappling with the onslaught of Cyclone Arnab Uttar Pradesh, which has unleashed a wave of sustained rainfall and powerful gusty winds across several regions. The weather system began making its presence felt significantly in Gorakhpur on the night of October 29, 2026, setting off a chain of alerts across the state.
IMD Issues High-Level Alerts
As the situation evolved on October 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stepped up its warnings, issuing a yellow alert for 43 districts. The threat is not limited to these areas, as six additional districts are currently bracing for intense thunderstorms and heavy downpours.
Atul Kumar Singh, a senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Center in Lucknow, has highlighted a particular risk for six Terai districts, which are expected to face extremely heavy rainfall. According to the forecast, these active and volatile weather conditions are likely to persist through October 31.
Gorakhpur on High Alert
In Gorakhpur, where the impact was felt early, the administration has shifted into emergency mode to prevent potential disasters. Municipal Commissioner Ajay Jain has confirmed that the municipal corporation is operating on a 24-hour alert. To ensure a seamless response, the leaves of all officials have been cancelled, and strict instructions have been issued to maintain constant mobile connectivity.
The coordination effort is being led by Mayor Mangलेश Srivastava and the District Disaster Management Authority. Meanwhile, Jai Prakash, the Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), is overseeing the overall administrative readiness. Dedicated control rooms have already been established to monitor the unfolding situation in real-time.
Widespread Impact Across the State
The influence of Cyclone Arnab extends far beyond a single city. Heavy rain and wind have been reported in major hubs including:
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
- Ayodhya
- Meerut
Detailed forecasts indicate that 13 districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh will experience heavy rainfall, while nine districts in the western part of the state are at risk of hailstorms. Furthermore, officials expect thunderstorms across 50 districts, with wind speeds potentially reaching 50 kilometers per hour.
Threat to Agriculture and Infrastructure
The unseasonal weather has sparked serious concerns for the farming community. The Agriculture Department has issued urgent advisories, warning that the rain and wind could devastate standing crops, specifically paddy, potatoes, and mustard.
Using social media platforms, authorities are urging farmers to:
- Harvest crops that are already ready for picking immediately.
- Move harvested grains to safe, covered locations to prevent spoilage.
Government Response
To manage the crisis, the Office of the Relief Commissioner has coordinated a multi-departmental response. The Revenue, Police, Health, and Irrigation departments are all on high alert, prepared to intervene in cases of infrastructure damage or flash flooding caused by the relentless rains.