India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast tomorrow, October 28, with wind speeds reaching 140 kmph, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of Wednesday. The IMD has issued a red alert for 11 Andhra Pradesh districts, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as the storm approaches the coast.
Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam by October 28 with winds reaching 140 kmph, triggering a red alert for 11 districts and preparedness measures.
According to the weather department, the cyclone is expected to bring maximum sustained winds of 115 to 125 kmph, with gusts reaching 140 kmph during landfall.
At 11.30 pm on October 26, Cyclone Arnab was centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal, around 350 km southeast of Visakhapatnam and 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada. It is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards until the evening of October 27 before turning northwestwards towards the coast.
Cyclone Arnab: 11 Andhra Pradesh districts on red alert
The IMD has issued a red alert for Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Konaseema, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts for October 28.
Extremely heavy rainfall is forecast in Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari and Eluru districts. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is also likely in parts of Srikakulam, Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Anakapalli, NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Bapatla districts.
National Bulletin No. 14 based on 2330 hrs IST of 26th October, 2026: Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “Arnab” [Pronunciation : Ornab] over Westcentral Bay of Bengal [Cyclone Warning for Andhra Pradesh and adjoining South Odisha coasts—Red Message]The severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” [Pronunciation :Ornab] over Westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 23 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and lay centered at 2330 hrs IST of yesterday, the 26th October, 2026 over the same region near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 86.0°E, 400 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha), 350 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 420 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 520 km east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 590 km east of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh) and 870 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands).It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards till evening of 27th October and thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam as a very severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of 28th October, 2026.
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 26, 2026
Palnadu, Prakasam, Markapuram and Nellore districts are also likely to receive heavy rainfall.
The approaching cyclone has prompted authorities to step up preparations across coastal areas, with emergency teams being kept ready to respond to flooding, fallen trees and other weather-related incidents.
Andhra Pradesh releases Rs 27 crore for cyclone preparedness
The Andhra Pradesh government has released Rs 27 crore for precautionary measures and relief operations ahead of the cyclone’s expected landfall.
Under the allocation, seven districts in north coastal Andhra Pradesh will receive Rs 2 crore each, while 13 other districts will receive Rs 1 crore each.
The state has also mobilised disaster response personnel to deal with possible emergencies. Eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been kept ready in affected districts. Additional teams are available for deployment if required.
Authorities have prepared 115 teams to clear fallen trees and rescue teams equipped with 13 boats to assist people in vulnerable areas.
The Disaster Management Authority has also shared the Mana Mitra WhatsApp helpline number, 9552300009, for people seeking assistance during the cyclone.
Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement during periods of strong winds and heavy rainfall and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
53 train services cancelled ahead of landfall
South Coast Railway has cancelled 53 train services on October 27 and 28 as a precautionary measure in view of Cyclone Arnab.
Passengers have been advised to check the status of their trains and verify cancellation details before travelling to railway stations.
The cancellations are part of precautionary arrangements as the cyclone moves closer to the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Odisha shuts schools in six districts
The Odisha government has ordered the closure of schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres in six southern districts on October 28 and 29.
The districts are Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, schools have also been ordered to remain closed until Tuesday, October 27, as a precautionary measure.
Cyclone Arnab may bring rain to Uttar Pradesh
The impact of Cyclone Arnab is also expected to extend beyond the eastern coast, with unseasonal rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds forecast in parts of Uttar Pradesh between October 28 and 31, according to forecasts reported by PTI.
On October 28, winds of 30 to 40 kmph are likely in Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Ghazipur and Ballia. A yellow alert has been issued for these districts.
An orange alert has been issued for October 29, when heavy rainfall and strong winds are likely in several areas.
Rainfall is also forecast in Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur. On October 30, heavy rain and strong winds are likely in Bareilly, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur, along with parts of the Purvanchal, Awadh and Terai regions.
Daytime temperatures in the affected areas could drop by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.
With Cyclone Arnab expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, authorities are continuing preparations to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall and strong winds. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert and follow official weather updates.
