Uttar Pradesh is preparing for the impending impact of Cyclone Arnab, with forecasts indicating significant rainfall, thunderstorms, and high winds between October 28 and 31. The state government has implemented safety measures for residents and farmers to reduce possible damage.
As of October 26, the government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has declared a state of alert due to the forecasted effects of Cyclone Arnab. This includes unseasonal rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds expected to affect the state. The Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner’s Office has released precautionary guidelines aimed at the general public and agricultural workers in light of these weather predictions, emphasizing the need for preparedness in terms of relief and rescue operations.
The weather outlook suggests winds could reach speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour on October 28 in districts such as Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Ghazipur, and Ballia, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for these areas. An orange alert has been announced for October 29, forecasting heavy rainfall and winds of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour across several districts. Areas expected to receive significant rainfall include Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Amethi, and Sultanpur. On October 30, similar weather conditions including heavy rain and strong winds are predicted for Bareilly, Pilibhit, and Shahjahanpur, along with various districts in Purvanchal, Awadh, and the Terai region. Consequently, daytime temperatures may decrease by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.
The Relief Commissioner’s Office has advised the public to heed weather alerts and follow administrative instructions. During storms, individuals are encouraged to seek shelter in solid structures, avoid trees, electrical poles, and fragile buildings, and refrain from non-essential travel. Additionally, staying clear of open fields, farmland, and bodies of water during lightning is recommended. Farmers are urged to take appropriate measures to safeguard their crops and livestock. The public is also advised to stay updated through official weather bulletins and the Sachet app.
As for Cyclone Arnab, the severe storm currently located over the Westcentral Bay of Bengal is predicted to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours, with expectations to make landfall along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the morning of October 28, according to the IMD. The cyclone, which was moving west-northwest at a speed of 17 km/h, has been designated as a severe cyclonic storm following its recent intensification.
As of 5:30 PM IST on October 26, the cyclone was situated approximately 490 km south-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 490 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is also located 560 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 660 km east of Machilipatnam, with forecasts suggesting it will continue its west-northwest trajectory and strengthen further before landfall. The IMD noted that when the storm makes landfall, it is expected to have maximum sustained wind speeds between 115-125 km/h, with gusts potentially reaching 140 km/h. A red alert has been issued for the Andhra Pradesh and nearby South Odisha coasts.
