Story perspectives

Odisha and Andhra prepare evacuations for Cyclone Arnab

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Odisha Govt Prepares Evacuations

Odisha’s government deployed disaster teams and prepared evacuations ahead of Cyclone Arnab.
Around 60 Odisha Disaster Action Force (ODRAF), 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 225 fire teams were on alert.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu kept officials on high alert while 29,952 fishing boats returned.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi set a zero-casualty goal, cancelled leave and opened round-the-clock control rooms.

Summary

Bangladesh Submits Name

Bangladesh submitted the name ‘Arnab’, part of a 169-name list agreed by the WMO and UNESCAP.
The India Meteorological Department reported Cyclone Arnab intensified on October 26 and may produce gusts up to 140 kph.
The storm is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha.
Andhra Pradesh disaster officials identified about 570,000 vulnerable people and will begin evacuations Monday evening.

History

Historical Context

On 29 October 1999 the India Meteorological Department issued hourly bulletins as a super-cyclonic storm struck Odisha, killing 9,887 people and causing $4.44 billion damage. The disaster forced the evacuation of about 150,000 residents and highlighted the need for stronger disaster systems. Cyclone Arnab’s response now uses the same IMD warnings, Odisha’s Disaster Action Force and Bangladesh’s coordinated naming to avoid a repeat.

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Odisha Govt Prepares Evacuations

Odisha’s government deployed disaster teams and prepared evacuations ahead of Cyclone Arnab.
Around 60 Odisha Disaster Action Force (ODRAF), 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 225 fire teams were on alert.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu kept officials on high alert while 29,952 fishing boats returned.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi set a zero-casualty goal, cancelled leave and opened round-the-clock control rooms.

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