Cyclone Arnab Weakens After Landfall; NDRF Rushes Reinforcements to Andhra Pradesh
Cyclone Arnab has weakened after hitting the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. NDRF and SDRF teams are on the ground for rescue and restoration.
Cyclone Arnab landfall has occurred along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain before beginning to lose its intensity. While the storm has now moved fully over the landmass, the government has intensified its disaster response, deploying additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams to the hardest-hit regions to ensure public safety and facilitate rescue operations.
Storm Intensity Downgraded
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Inspector General Narendra Singh Bundela announced during a press conference in Delhi that the weather system is steadily weakening. Originally classified as a "very severe cyclonic storm," the system has been downgraded to a "severe cyclonic storm."
The weakening process is expected to accelerate rapidly. According to officials, the system was projected to drop to a "cyclonic storm" by Wednesday afternoon and further downgrade into a "deep depression" by the evening.
Massive Deployment of Rescue Forces
Anticipating that Andhra Pradesh would bear the brunt of the storm's impact, the Government of India coordinated with defense forces to send four additional NDRF teams to the state via Indian Air Force aircraft on Tuesday night.
The rescue infrastructure currently on the ground includes:
- NDRF: Multiple teams deployed for specialized rescue and evacuation.
- SDRF: The state government has mobilized a total of 80 State Disaster Response Force teams.
- District-level forces: Various departmental teams are working across their respective jurisdictions.
Evacuations and Ground Impact
One of the primary areas of concern has been Yanam, where heavy rainfall left several residents stranded. Inspector General Bundela confirmed that as of Tuesday evening, the NDRF had successfully evacuated 38 people from the region. The state government is continuing to track losses and damages through the State Emergency Operation Center, with updates being made available to the public via their official website.
Landfall Details and Wind Speeds
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Cyclone Arnab completed its landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, southwest of Yanam, by 8 am on Wednesday. The storm packed a powerful punch, with maximum sustained wind speeds ranging between 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph.
By 8:30 am, the center of the system was positioned approximately:
- 20 km east-northeast of Narsapur
- 40 km southwest of Yanam
- 60 km southwest of Kakinada
- 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam
- 120 km east of Gannavaram
- 120 km southwest of Tuni
Infrastructure Damage and Government Response
While the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has confirmed that no loss of life has been reported so far, the cyclone has left a mark on the region's infrastructure. High-intensity sea waves and severe coastal erosion have caused significant damage to the Uppada coastal road near Kakinada.
The state administration remains on high alert, working around the clock to minimize property damage and protect lives. Restoration and repair work has already begun on the damaged coastal roads to restore connectivity and secure the coastline.