Cyclone Alert / Cyclone Arnab Weakens after Landfall, Odisha Braces for Heavy Rain

Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab has weakened after completing its landfall process along the Andhra Pradesh coast, but its impact is expected to continue over Odisha in the form of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the next 48 hours.

According to the latest meteorological updates, the cyclonic storm began making landfall around 2 am and completed the process by 8 am on Wednesday.

The landfall lasted for nearly six hours, during which coastal Andhra Pradesh witnessed intense rainfall and strong winds, resulting in uprooted trees and localised disruptions.

Also read: Cyclone Arnab to Cross Odisha by Afternoon

The storm crossed the coast near Narsapur, about 20 km east-northeast of the town, 40 km southwest of Yanam and around 60 km southwest of Kakinada. During landfall, Arnab packed sustained wind speeds of 110-120 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 135 kmph.

Weather officials said the cyclone is now moving north-northwestwards and is expected to weaken gradually over the next two days. It is likely to downgrade into a cyclonic storm within the next six hours and further weaken into a deep depression during the subsequent six-hour period.

Despite the weakening trend, Odisha remains on high alert. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for six southern districts — Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri — forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds with speeds of 60-80 kmph and gusts touching 90 kmph.

An Orange Alert has been sounded for 11 districts, including Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Baragada, Puri, Khordha, Sonepur, Boudh and Nayagada, where heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is likely.

The remaining districts have been placed under Yellow Alert.

Meanwhile, sea conditions remain rough to very rough along the Odisha coast and the west-central Bay of Bengal. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until October 29. All ports in Odisha have been directed to display Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 as a precautionary measure.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the weakening cyclone moves inland, with disaster response teams remaining on standby across vulnerable districts.