Cyclone Alert / Cyclone Arnab Intensifies Into Very Severe Storm, South Odisha On Alert

Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, packing winds of 125-135 kmph and gusts of up to 150 kmph, as authorities brace for heavy rainfall and possible flooding in southern Odisha.

The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ has been moving west-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph over the past six hours, according to the latest update.

The storm was centred around 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha and 300 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, according to the latest information provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It has been moving west-northwestwards and conditions remain favourable for further intensification.

The regional centre of IMD in Bhubaneswar has forecast that the cyclone will move northwestwards after Tuesday evening and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28. The forecast track places the landfall outside Odisha, but southern districts are expected to experience significant weather impacts.

Orange Alert For Six Odisha Districts
The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri and Puri districts over the next 24 hours.

A yellow warning has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagada, Khordha, Kataka, Dhenkanal, Anugola, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds possible in parts of these districts.

Rainfall linked to the cyclone’s outer bands has already begun in parts of Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Khordha districts, the weather agency informed.

Also Read: Odisha Transport Dept Tightens Vigil Ahead of Cyclone Arnab

Gajapati Begins Evacuation Preparations
Rain has been reported across parts of Gajapati district since early Tuesday, following a change in weather conditions overnight. The district administration has stepped up preparedness and begun evacuation measures in vulnerable areas.

Around 15,000 people living in vulnerable locations have been identified for possible relocation to safer places. More than 100 pregnant women have also been shifted to 'Maa Gruhas' (Maternity Waiting Homes) as a precautionary measure.