As Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab makes landfall on India's east coast, several states are on high alert. The India Meteorological Department has issued urgent warnings for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Arnab's Landfall and Path
Very Severe Cyclonic
Storm Arnab began making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast near Yanam and Kakinada in the early hours of October 28. The storm crossed the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. After making landfall, the system weakened to a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' and is expected to continue moving in a north-northwest direction, weakening further as it moves inland. While the wind intensity will gradually decrease, the primary threat remains the significant volume of rain being dumped across a wide area.
High-Alert: Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Andhra Pradesh is bearing the direct impact of the cyclone, with coastal districts facing the most severe conditions. The IMD has issued flash flood warnings for numerous districts including Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema, and West Godavari. Extensive damage to crops and infrastructure, including uprooted trees and electricity poles, has been reported, particularly in the Konaseema district. Southern Odisha is also experiencing heavy rain and strong winds. A red warning for extremely heavy rainfall has been issued for districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Authorities in both states have evacuated tens of thousands of people from vulnerable, low-lying areas.
Impact on Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
The cyclone's influence extends well beyond the immediate coastline. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for Telangana and Chhattisgarh. The IMD has issued warnings for thundersqualls and gusty winds in these regions. As the storm system tracks further inland, Jharkhand is also expected to receive continuous rainfall, with an orange alert issued by the meteorological department for heavy rain. Residents in all these states are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and waterlogging.
Official Forecast and Warnings
The IMD's primary warning focuses on 'extremely heavy rainfall', which signifies a high probability of receiving over 20 cm of rain in a 24-hour period in the worst-hit zones. This creates a significant risk of flash floods and urban waterlogging. A storm surge of 1 to 1.5 metres above the normal tide was also predicted to inundate low-lying coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh around the time of landfall. Train services have been cancelled, and flight operations at airports like Visakhapatnam were suspended as a precautionary measure.
Essential Safety Precautions
Authorities, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been deployed and are advising residents to take immediate precautions. The most critical advice is to stay indoors and avoid all non_essential travel until the storm passes. If you are in a low_lying area, follow all evacuation orders. Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like drinking water, non_perishable food, a first_aid kit, and torches. Ensure mobile phones are fully charged for communication. During the storm, stay away from windows, and disconnect electrical appliances to prevent damage from power surges.
