On Sunday, Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari led a high-level meeting in Bhubaneswar to discuss readiness for Cyclone Arnab, which has formed over the Bay of Bengal.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a deep depression in the Bay has strengthened into Cyclone Arnab and is projected to evolve into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27, making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28.
As of 5:30 AM on Monday, the cyclone was positioned over the east-central and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal, advancing westward at a speed of 15 km/h. This information was shared in IMD’s National Bulletin No. 8.
The IMD stated, “The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into Cyclone Arnab and is likely to strengthen further into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27 before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28.”
The current location of the cyclone is approximately 590 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 730 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 830 km east of Machilipatnam, and 910 km east of Bapatla.
The cyclone is expected to shift west-northwestward, gaining intensity to become a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on Monday, and later developing into a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27.
It is anticipated that the cyclone will continue northwest and make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, with potential wind speeds reaching up to 125 km/h and gusts of 140 km/h.
Due to the cyclone’s influence, isolated thunderstorms with lightning are predicted across Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and Rayalaseema. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with extremely heavy downpours in some areas, is expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28, with additional heavy rainfall likely on October 29.
Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), emphasized that the next three days are critical, urging residents to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols.
He warned against complacency as Cyclone Arnab continues to develop in the Bay of Bengal, advising coastal communities to follow official guidance and take appropriate precautions.
