GUWAHATI: Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have intensified preparedness measures ahead of Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast on Wednesday, October 28. Authorities have initiated evacuations, suspended fishing activities, ordered school closures in affected areas and deployed disaster response teams to manage potential emergencies.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast wind speeds of 115-125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph, as the very severe cyclonic storm approaches the eastern coast. Both states have mobilised emergency services and relief resources, with Odisha shifting residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations.
According to the IMD, the cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. Moving west-northwestwards at approximately 25 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal, the storm was centred at around 2.30 am on Tuesday, October 27, nearly 300 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha.
The weather department expects the system to continue moving west-northwestwards before turning northwestwards towards the coast near Yanam.
The IMD has also issued a warning of moderate rainfall accompanied by squally winds over parts of Andhra Pradesh. Wind speeds are expected to reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts of up to 70 kmph, over the next three hours in areas including Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 27 crore for relief and emergency operations across 20 districts. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has deployed 15 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams at vulnerable locations to strengthen the state's response.
At the national level, the National Crisis Management Committee has reviewed the preparedness arrangements and directed concerned agencies to remain on alert ahead of the anticipated landfall.
Precautionary measures have also been announced in other regions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration ordered the closure of all schools for two days from Tuesday, October 27, as a safety measure.
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in several districts of West Bengal between October 28 and October 30. Separately, the Relief Commissioner's Office in Uttar Pradesh has issued an advisory warning of unseasonal rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds from Wednesday, October 28, to Saturday, October 31.
