Cyclone Arnab nears landfall as Andhra, Odisha brace for very severe storm

Cyclone Arnab is set to strike the Andhra coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28 as a very severe storm, with sustained winds of 115–125 kmph and gusts to 140 kmph. Odisha has deployed 20 ODRAF teams and Andhra Pradesh is evacuating coastal residents as heavy rain spreads across both states.

The India Meteorological Department expects the system to become a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27 before crossing the coast on October 28, with Odisha and Andhra Pradesh both on high alert.

Odisha has deployed 20 ODRAF teams in the first phase of a three-phase plan, while Andhra Pradesh is evacuating people from low-lying coastal areas from Tuesday evening.

Fishermen have been warned to stay ashore and schools in vulnerable districts are shut, as heavy to very heavy rain is forecast across coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana through October 29.