Vijayawada / New Delhi, October 28, 2026
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab made landfall early Wednesday morning along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near the Yanam-Kakinada region, with maximum sustained winds of 125-135 kmph and gusts up to 150 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the system crossed the coast between approximately 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. IST on October 28, after accelerating faster than earlier forecasts and interacting with land earlier than the initially projected forenoon window.
As the storm’s outer spiral bands already battered coastal Andhra Pradesh through Tuesday, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall lashed northern and central coastal districts. Eastern states, particularly Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, recorded intense downpours, strong winds, high waves, and localised flooding. One fatality was reported in Andhra Pradesh, linked to electrocution from snapped power lines. Authorities evacuated tens of thousands of people to shelters, cancelled dozens of trains, shut schools in multiple districts, and placed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams on high alert.
Formation, Intensification, and Track
Cyclone Arnab originated as a low-pressure area over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It intensified into a depression, then a deep depression, before being named a cyclonic storm on October 26. The system rapidly strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm and then a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) over the west-central Bay of Bengal. By late October 27, IMD bulletins placed its centre progressively closer to the Andhra coast—around 50-90 km from key points near Kakinada, Narsapur, and Machilipatnam in successive updates.
The name “Arnab” (pronounced Ornab) was proposed by Bangladesh and drawn from the official list maintained by the World Meteorological Organization/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones. The list comprises names contributed by 13 countries bordering the North Indian Ocean. “Arnab” is commonly associated with the Bengali word for ocean or sea.
Warm sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal, typically exceeding 26.5–28°C in the post-monsoon season, fuelled the storm’s intensification through latent heat release. The system moved west-northwestwards, then turned northwestwards toward the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, with the eye expected to cross close to south of Yanam. Doppler weather radar at Visakhapatnam provided continuous surveillance.
Landfall and Immediate Coastal Impact
Landfall began near Yanam (a Puducherry enclave) close to Kakinada in the early hours of October 28. Officials reported the process underway by around 1–2 a.m., with completion expected by approximately 4 a.m. Maximum sustained winds at landfall were forecast in the 125–135 kmph range, gusting to 150 kmph. Storm surge of 1–2 metres above astronomical tide was anticipated, particularly near Kakinada and Yanam, threatening low-lying coastal areas with inundation.
On Tuesday, October 27, very heavy rainfall already struck northern Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam district recorded the highest amounts in several locations, with one site logging 141.75 mm between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Widespread falls exceeding 80–100 mm occurred across Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, and Srikakulam. Strong winds uprooted at least 200 trees within Visakhapatnam city limits. High waves lashed the Visakhapatnam coast. A 65-year-old man died at Mangalapalem after coming into contact with live electrical wires that snapped and fell into water.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that 290 cyclone shelters had been set up and 84,396 people evacuated to safer locations in Andhra Pradesh. District collectors were directed to ensure food, drinking water, and medical supplies at relief camps. NDRF teams were deployed across affected regions.
Rainfall and Alerts Across Eastern and Adjoining States
IMD issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining southern Odisha. Coastal Andhra districts—including East Godavari, West Godavari, Kakinada, Konaseema, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, and surrounding areas—faced the heaviest impact, with extremely heavy rainfall expected through Wednesday morning. Rainfall activity, which was centred farther north on Tuesday, shifted toward the Godavari and Konaseema regions as the system approached landfall.
Odisha remained on high alert. Schools were closed in multiple districts (reports indicated closures in five to 16 districts at various stages). Authorities planned evacuation of tens of thousands from low-lying and landslide-prone areas. Heavy to extremely heavy rain was forecast for southern Odisha districts.
Beyond the immediate coastal belt, the remnant system was expected to move inland northwestwards or northwards, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall to Telangana, Chhattisgarh, parts of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh in the subsequent days. Isolated extremely heavy falls remained possible in the core impact zone. Fishermen across the region were strictly advised to remain ashore.
Preparedness and Disruptions
Andhra Pradesh released significant funds for relief and evacuation. South Coast Railway cancelled dozens of trains (reports cited 53 or more) on routes connecting Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Machilipatnam, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and other coastal stations for October 27–28 and beyond in some cases. Beaches and tourist sites faced restricted access. Ports were placed on alert.
In Odisha, similar measures included school closures, evacuation drives, and deployment of emergency teams. NDRF had positioned multiple teams (one report noted 31 teams) across cyclone-prone regions. Power restoration teams, medical units, and accident relief trains were kept ready.
Local administrations in Yanam and surrounding Puducherry areas coordinated with Andhra Pradesh authorities given the proximity of the expected landfall point.
Broader Context and Outlook
October–November is a peak period for cyclogenesis in the Bay of Bengal due to residual monsoon warmth and favourable atmospheric conditions. Cyclone Arnab’s rapid intensification from depression to very severe cyclonic storm within a short period underscored the region’s vulnerability. Post-landfall, the system was forecast to weaken steadily over land while continuing to produce significant rainfall inland.
Authorities urged residents in affected areas to remain indoors until conditions stabilised, avoid low-lying zones, and follow official advisories. Power outages, waterlogging, uprooted trees, and disruption to road and rail connectivity were widely expected in the landfall and adjacent districts.
As of early Wednesday, the focus remained on completing evacuations where needed, monitoring real-time rainfall and wind data, and preparing for immediate relief and restoration once the core of the storm moved inland. Further IMD bulletins were expected to refine the track of the remnant depression and rainfall forecasts for interior eastern and central India over the next 48–72 hours.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly. Residents and travellers in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and neighbouring states are advised to stay updated through official IMD channels, state disaster management authorities, and local administration alerts. Safety remains the priority as eastern India absorbs the impact of Cyclone Arnab.
