As Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab completed its landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning, several eastern and central states are experiencing significant weather, from gale-force winds to extremely heavy rainfall.
Andhra Pradesh: The Epicentre of Landfall
Andhra Pradesh is bearing
the brunt of Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Yanam, early on October 28. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the cyclone crossed the coast as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph, gusting up to 150 kmph. A red alert for extremely heavy rainfall remains in effect for several districts, including Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, and West Godavari. Widespread power outages have been reported after trees and electricity poles were uprooted. In response, authorities have deployed 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and evacuated nearly 89,000 people from low-lying coastal areas to cyclone shelters. The state administration remains on high alert, focusing on rescue and restoration efforts as the storm system moves further inland.
Odisha: High Alert and Heavy Rainfall
Though Cyclone Arnab's landfall was in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Odisha remains on high alert for its residual effects. Southern Odisha districts, particularly Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, and Gajapati, are forecast to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. The state has proactively evacuated over 30,000 people from vulnerable areas. To manage the situation, the government has deployed a significant force, including nine NDRF teams, 60 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, and 244 fire services teams. Wind speeds are expected to reach 70-90 kmph in the southern districts. As a precaution, schools and colleges in 16 districts have been closed, and fishing operations have been suspended along the coast.
Telangana and Chhattisgarh: Bracing for Winds and Rain
As Cyclone Arnab moves northwest after landfall, its impact is extending into Telangana and Chhattisgarh. The IMD has issued an orange alert for both states. Telangana is expected to experience strong winds of 60-70 kmph along with heavy downpours. Four NDRF teams have been deployed to Chhattisgarh to handle potential emergencies like flooding and to assist in clearing debris. The state is also predicted to see thunderstorms with winds gusting up to 80 kmph. Both state governments have alerted their district administrations to be prepared for the cyclone's impact and to ensure the safety of residents in its path.
Jharkhand, West Bengal and Beyond
The cyclone's influence is reaching even further, with states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh also on alert for adverse weather. An orange alert has been issued for Jharkhand, where wind speeds could reach 50-60 kmph accompanied by heavy rain from October 28 to 30. In West Bengal, districts in the south, including South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, and Paschim Medinipur, are expecting heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29, while northern districts like Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri will see heavy rain on October 29 and 30. The system is even expected to bring unseasonal rain and thunderstorms to parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh between October 28 and 31.
