Cyclone Alert / Cyclone Arnab Likely to Make Landfall Between 2 AM and 4 AM on October 28

Visakhapatnam/Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) Arnab is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between 2 AM and 4 AM on October 28, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday evening.

Authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have intensified evacuation efforts and emergency preparedness measures as the cyclone approaches the coast with destructive winds and heavy rainfall as that the system has accelerated and begun interacting with the land surface.

According to the IMD, the cyclone's outer spiral bands have already entered coastal areas, signalling the onset of landfall. The system is expected to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph.

Cyclone Near Coast

At 5.30 PM on October 27, Arnab was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, about 90 km southeast of Kakinada, 170 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam, 170 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam, 240 km east-northeast of Bapatla, and 410 km southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha.

The IMD said the cyclone moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 18 kmph during the previous six hours and is expected to continue on a similar track before turning northwestwards towards the coast.

Andhra Pradesh on Alert

The Andhra Pradesh government has placed coastal districts on high alert. Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority Managing Director Prakhar Jain said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema and Anakapalli districts until Wednesday morning.

He warned that the next 12 hours would be crucial and advised residents living in huts and temporary shelters to shift immediately to rehabilitation centres.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation through a teleconference with collectors of coastal districts and directed officials to take all precautions to prevent loss of life and property. He instructed authorities to ensure food, drinking water and essential supplies at relief camps, relocate people from low-lying areas and fully utilise NDRF and SDRF teams for emergency response.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab Nears Andhra Coast, Bringing Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds

Odisha Steps Up Preparedness

In Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said micro-level planning for the cyclone had already been completed. ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas, while evacuation of people from low-lying and cyclone-prone locations has begun.

The Minister said cyclone and flood shelters have been readied and all necessary humanitarian assistance has been arranged at relief centres.

Officials in both States continue to closely monitor the developing situation as Cyclone Arnab approaches the coast.