Cyclone Arnab began its landfall process along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts early Wednesday, bringing torrential rainfall and strong winds to coastal areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The cyclone is maintaining a core intensity with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. According to the IMD, the landfall process is expected to continue for around three hours, with the storm crossing between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, south of Yanam.
The weather department said the cyclone had moved northwestwards at a speed of around 3 kmph over the preceding three hours. It is expected to move slowly northwestwards initially before turning north-northwestwards. Wind speeds are likely to gradually decrease after the landfall process is completed.
Trees Uprooted, Power Lines Damaged
The impact of the cyclone has been reported in several parts of Andhra Pradesh. Multiple trees were uprooted and power lines snapped in Kakinada, while heavy rain and gusty winds caused trees to fall and obstruct roads in Visakhapatnam, including Beach Road and Seethammadhara.
The IMD has issued an inundation alert, warning that a storm surge of 1.5 to 2.5 metres above the astronomical tide could inundate low-lying coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh over the next four to five hours. The maximum peak surge is expected near Kakinada and Yanam.
The weather department also reported extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm at several locations in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts between 8:30 am on October 27 and 3 am on October 28.
Odisha Under Heavy Rainfall Alert
The IMD has issued severe weather warnings for several districts of Odisha as the cyclone’s impact extends across the region.
A warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall, with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations, has been issued for Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts. These areas may also experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 60–80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph.
An orange warning has been issued for Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh, Puri, Khordha, Sonepur, Boudh and Nayagarh districts. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are likely in these areas.
A yellow warning has also been issued for Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack districts. Heavy rainfall at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, with gusts up to 50 kmph, is forecast until 8:30 pm on October 29.
Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected to Continue
The IMD has warned of continued adverse weather conditions across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as Cyclone Arnab completes its landfall and moves inland.
Residents in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas have been advised to follow official weather advisories and take necessary precautions against heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible inundation.
-ANI
