A striking red cloud appeared over Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district this week as Cyclone Arnab brought unsettled weather to the state. While the spectacle coincided with the storm, atmospheric science
offers a possible explanation for the unusual colour.
As Cyclone Arnab brought rain, gusty winds and an overcast sky to parts of Chhattisgarh, an altogether different spectacle unfolded above the state’s Gariaband district on Wednesday. A cloud, illuminated in an unusually deep shade of red, stood out against the sky, drawing the attention of residents who captured the fleeting phenomenon on their cameras.
The sight was reported from Devbhog in Gariaband on Tuesday (October 27), when the effects of the cyclonic system were beginning to be felt across the state. Local news outlet Chhattisgarh News reported that residents witnessed the crimson-coloured cloud amid light winds, with several people photographing the unusual scene.
The striking visuals were captured and shared by Omprakash Sirvi (SR), who posted them on X (@imOmprakashhh).
Similar reddish skies were reported in Dantewada and Gariaband on Tuesday evening, according to Dainik Jagran, as the weather system associated with Cyclone Arnab brought rain and a marked change in conditions across the region.
Why Did The Cloud Turn Blood-Red?
The answer may lie not in the cyclone itself but in the way sunlight travels through the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the colour of a cloud depends largely on the light falling upon it. Although sunlight appears white, it contains different colours, each with its own wavelength.
As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, shorter wavelengths, particularly blue, are scattered more readily than longer wavelengths such as orange and red. This phenomenon is known as Rayleigh scattering.
When the Sun is close to the horizon, its rays must travel through a greater thickness of the atmosphere before reaching an observer. Much of the shorter-wavelength light is scattered along the way, allowing warmer colours to become more prominent.
Clouds illuminated by this light can consequently appear orange, pink or even a striking crimson.
Unusual red skies have reportedly been witnessed in some parts of Chhattisgarh as strong winds associated with the weather system named Cyclone Arnab sweep across the region. The striking visuals have caught attention on social media, with residents sharing footage of the unusual sky.
Wind speeds have reportedly reached 60-80 km/h, with gusts of up to 90 km/h. The conditions have raised concerns about potential damage, fallen trees and disruptions, particularly in areas exposed to strong winds.
However, the cause of the red appearance has not been independently confirmed, and the reported cyclone details should be checked against official India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletins before publication. Residents are advised to follow official weather alerts and local authorities’ instructions.
— Omprakash Sirvi (SR) (@imOmprakashhh) October 29, 2026
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in its International Cloud Atlas, explains that clouds can take on intense reddish hues when the Sun approaches the horizon. Their appearance also depends on cloud height, atmospheric haze and the position of the observer relative to the Sun.
In other words, a cloud that looks blood-red from one location may appear considerably less dramatic from another.
Did Cyclone Arnab Cause The Red Sky?
The timing of the spectacle is significant, although it does not necessarily establish a direct link between the cyclone and the colour of the cloud.
Cyclone Arnab brought extensive cloud cover, rain and strong winds to Chhattisgarh after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast. Such weather systems can alter cloud formations and atmospheric conditions, potentially creating striking visual effects when sunlight illuminates them.
However, there is an important distinction between the cyclone producing the weather conditions in which the phenomenon was observed and the cyclone directly causing the cloud to turn red.
The red colour itself can be explained by ordinary atmospheric processes, particularly the scattering of sunlight and the illumination of clouds near sunset.
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) notes that airborne particles and aerosols can also influence the intensity of sunrise and sunset colours by increasing the scattering of sunlight.
Without a specific meteorological assessment of the Devbhog sighting, however, it would be premature to attribute the cloud’s precise colour to Cyclone Arnab, dust or any other individual atmospheric factor.
Cyclone Arnab Keeps Chhattisgarh On Alert
The unusual sight came as Chhattisgarh grappled with the effects of Cyclone Arnab, which brought widespread cloud cover, intermittent rain and gusty winds to several districts.
According to The Times of India, the cyclonic system crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast with sustained winds of 125–135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph, before weakening as it moved inland.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the system could continue bringing rainfall to parts of Chhattisgarh, with heavy to very heavy showers possible at isolated places in northern and central districts on Thursday (October 29).
Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kondagaon and Sukma were among the districts placed under heightened weather alerts. Gariaband, where the red cloud was spotted, also reported rainfall as the system affected the state.
The authorities stepped up precautionary measures, including school closures in vulnerable districts and the mobilisation of emergency-response teams.
The state government had identified 12 districts as particularly vulnerable to heavy rain and strong winds, while officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads and follow weather advisories.
For residents of Devbhog, however, the cyclone’s arrival was accompanied by a rare visual spectacle: a cloud seemingly painted crimson against an unsettled sky.
