Cyclone Arnab: Expected Landfall, Evacuations and Early Impacts on India’s Eastern Coast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies Cyclone Arnab as a “very severe cyclonic storm,” the third-highest category on its scale. It is forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam early Wednesday, with sustained winds of 125–135 km h?¹ and gusts up to 150 km h?¹. A storm surge of 1–1.5 m above the astronomical tide is expected to inundate low-lying areas.

Cyclone Arnab Landfall: Trains, flights cancelled; Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal on alert - Top updates Cyclone Arnab forms over Bay of Bengal, IMD warns it will intensify into a severe storm ReutersCyclone Arnab Completes Landfall, Brings Heavy Rain In Andhra, Odisha New Indian ExpressFirst PostCyclone Arnab hurtles towards Andhra coast, 4 states on alert; 53 trains cancelled

Arnab formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on 23 October, became a cyclonic storm by 26 October and reached “very severe” status on 27 October. Warm sea-surface temperatures, linked to the El Niño phenomenon, have aided its rapid intensification.

The Indian Express

• Evacuations: Over 180 000 people moved to shelters in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

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• Infrastructure: More than 15 000 electricity poles damaged; power outages persisted.

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• Agriculture: About 79 000 acres of crops damaged, especially banana and coconut in Konaseema.

8 dead as Cyclone Arnab batters Andhra coast, uproots trees, poles, damages homes

• Rainfall (first 24 h): 216.9 mm in Visakhapatnam, 147 mm in Kalingapatnam, 123 mm in Tuni, 118 mm in Kakinada, 115 mm in Machilipatnam.

8 dead as Cyclone Arnab batters Andhra coast, uproots trees, poles, damages homes

• Maritime: Over 30 000 fishing boats secured; 1 100 medical teams deployed.

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• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) stressed “protecting every life,” ordered round-the-clock vigilance, district control rooms and regular alerts, and sought assistance from the Union Home Minister.

New Indian Express

• Prakhar Jain, managing director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, reported evacuation efforts and preparation of over 2 000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts.

Associated Press

• Narendra Singh Bundela, senior NDRF official, confirmed three deaths and the loss of at least 180 houses and 220 trees.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Manorama Mohanty, director of the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, warned of a red alert for several Odisha districts due to landslide and flash-flood risk.

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Residents described chaotic conditions as water surged into homes and trees toppled onto roads. A Kakinada resident recounted being rescued after floodwaters surrounded a bus stop, while another in Visakhapatnam said, “our homes get flooded, and we have to stay in the water.”

Cyclone Arnab landfall continues along Andhra coast, 4 rescued from floodwaters

• Death toll: Official Andhra Pradesh figures list six fatalities; *Times of India* cites nine, *AP* at least three, *New Indian Express* five, and *IndiaTimes* eight. No single source provides a verified total.

The Straits Times

• Casualty verification: Reports differ on causes—electrocution, falling trees, wall collapses—and precise locations remain partially unverified.

New Indian Express

• “No one knew whose house the water would rush into next or whose home would be submerged.” — disaster-management official

Al Jazeera (website)

• “Our homes get flooded, and we have to stay in the water,” — Rajeshwari

DW News

The IMD expects the storm surge to subside within hours after landfall, but heavy rainfall will continue into Thursday. Authorities warn of additional landslides in Odisha’s hilly districts. Monitoring by the National Crisis Management Committee and deployment of NDRF, State Disaster Response Force and armed-forces units will continue to support rescue and restoration efforts.

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