Story perspectives

Cyclone Arnab Set to Hit Odisha-Andhra Coast October 28

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 4:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Cyclone Arnab is forecast to make landfall on north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around October 28 2026.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra projected the system will reach cyclonic-storm intensity by the morning of October 26.
Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced all 30 districts are on alert and disaster-response forces are on standby.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five southern Odisha districts will remain closed on October 28-29.

History

Historical Context

The 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, which struck the coast on October 29 1999, devastated the state and killed roughly 10,000 people. The Indian Meteorological Department issued warnings 48 hours early, while the Indian Navy evacuated 1.5 million residents and the World Bank pledged $4.5 billion for relief. Today's cyclone forecast by IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra and alerts from Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari echo the 1999 emergency coordination. The 1999 experience prompted permanent early-warning systems and reinforced multi-agency response plans, shaping how authorities now prepare for storms like Cyclone Arnab.

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Story summary

Cyclone Arnab is forecast to make landfall on north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts around October 28 2026.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra projected the system will reach cyclonic-storm intensity by the morning of October 26.
Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced all 30 districts are on alert and disaster-response forces are on standby.
Schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in five southern Odisha districts will remain closed on October 28-29.

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