Cyclone Alert / Cyclone Arnab's Outer Bands Enter Coast; Landfall Likely Between 2 AM and 4 AM

Visakhapatnam/Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: The outer spiral bands of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) Arnab have entered coastal areas, indicating the beginning of the landfall process, even as authorities in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha stepped up evacuation and disaster response measures ahead of the cyclone's impact, officials said on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Cyclone Arnab is likely to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between 2 AM and 4 AM on October 28. The cyclone is expected to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to the south of Yanam, as a very severe cyclonic storm.

Nearing Landfall

According to the IMD, the cyclone has accelerated and begun interacting with the land surface. Its outer spiral rain bands have already entered coastal regions, signalling the onset of landfall conditions.

At 5.30 PM on October 27, the system 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 weather agency said Arnab 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.

The cyclone is likely to cross the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph.

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 expected in East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema and Anakapalli districts until Wednesday morning.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness through a teleconference with district collectors and directed officials to ensure relief supplies, evacuation from vulnerable areas and full deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams.
Also Read: Cyclone Arnab Likely to Make Landfall Between 2 AM and 4 AM on October 28

Odisha Prepared

In Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said micro-level planning had been completed. ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams have been deployed in vulnerable pockets, while evacuation from low-lying and cyclone-prone areas is underway.

Authorities said cyclone and flood shelters have been readied and necessary humanitarian assistance arrangements are in place at relief centres.