Weather Alert / Cyclone Arnab Nears Coastline, Positioned 610 Km off Gopalpur

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: Cyclone Arnab has intensified over the Bay of Bengal, prompting weather warnings and precautionary measures across Odisha, even as the storm is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast later this week.

According to the latest meteorological bulletin, the deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay has strengthened into a cyclonic storm named Arnab.

As of 5:30 am IST on October 26, the system was centred over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 15.4°N and longitude 88.9°E.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab Forms Over Bay Of Bengal, Red Alert for five Odisha Districts

The storm was located about 610 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and is moving west-northwestwards.

Weather experts forecast that it is likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm by midnight on October 26 and may become a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm on October 27.

Bhubaneswar: Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ has intensified over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, according to the latest bulletin. The system is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27 and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, with wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph. #CycloneArnab #Odisha #AndhraPradesh #CycloneAlert

— Argus News (@ArgusNews_in) October 26, 2026

Thereafter, the cyclone is expected to continue moving northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the forenoon of October 28. At the time of landfall, wind speeds may reach up to 140 kmph in the core area.

Although Odisha is not currently in the direct landfall zone, the cyclone is expected to influence weather conditions across several districts.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in districts including Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kataka, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada.

The impact of the system may begin to be felt from Monday afternoon, particularly in southern Odisha. Meteorologists have indicated that rainfall will be the primary concern for Odisha, while strong winds are likely to remain limited compared to the landfall region. Some increase in wind speed is, however, expected along the Odisha coast on October 28.

Beach Entry Restrictions

Meanwhile, rough sea conditions have prompted the Ganjam district administration to impose restrictions on beach activities. Entry to all beaches in the district, including the popular Gopalpur and Sunapur beaches, has been prohibited from October 26 to October 30 as a precautionary measure.

Weather officials have also stated that the threat of significant storm surge along the Odisha coast remains low as the cyclone is not expected to make landfall in the state.