Cyclone Arnab Update: Storm Weakens After Andhra Pradesh Landfall

Cyclone Arnab hits Kakinada with 135 kmph winds, causing heavy rain across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Over 180,000 evacuated as relief operations begin.

News Source: https://www.telegraphindia.com/

After making landfall along India's eastern coast on Wednesday morning, Cyclone Arnab deteriorated into a strong cyclonic storm, leaving a path of intense rain, uprooted trees, and isolated flooding in many states. The extremely strong cyclonic storm made landfall between 2:00 and 8:00 AM on Wednesday along the shores of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, passing near Kakinada and Narsapur, according to the most recent weather reports. The storm produced sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph at the moment of impact, with gusts reaching 150 kmph.

The storm continued to deliver severe winds and heavy rainfall as it proceeded north-northwestward toward southern Odisha, although its intensity decreased when the core moved completely over land.

Severe waterlogging and structural damage are now being managed in coastal communities. At 315 mm, Visakhapatnam had the most rainfall, followed by Vizianagaram at 301 mm and Anakapalli at 275 mm. The Godavari and Kakinada regions are experiencing significant power disruptions as a result of broken electrical wires and fallen trees obstructing important thoroughfares. The effects went beyond Andhra Pradesh; severe rains in Odisha resulted in waterlogging close to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, while high tides in Tamil Nadu caused seawater to breach the shoreline and flood portions of the Chennai Ennore Expressway.

Local governments evacuated almost 180,000 people from low-lying coastal districts into temporary centers as part of massive preemptive measures that successfully reduced the number of fatalities. Authorities have reported two rare deaths in spite of these precautions: a 40-year-old woman slain by a wall fall in Puri, Odisha, and a 65-year-old man electrocuted in Andhra Pradesh. Flight operations at Visakhapatnam airport are still suspended, while more than 12 flights between Chennai and locations in Andhra Pradesh were canceled. Additionally, some trains on the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada and Bhubaneswar routes have been canceled or rerouted by Indian Railways.

Over the course of the following 24 hours, the cyclone whose name “Arnab” means “ocean” in Bengali and was provided by Bangladesh is predicted to weaken even more and turn into a cyclonic storm. As the rain starts to stop in the initial landfall zones, disaster relief teams are presently cleaning debris and attempting to restore power grids.

FAQs:

Q: Where and when did Cyclone Arnab make landfall?

A: On Wednesday morning, October 28, 2026, the cyclone made landfall at Kakinada and Narsapur along the shores of Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.

Q: What was the maximum wind speeds recorded during landfall?

A: The storm produced sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph at the moment of impact, with gusts reaching 150 kmph.

Q: Which city recorded the highest rainfall from the cyclone Arnab?

A: At 315 mm, Visakhapatnam had the most rainfall, followed by Vizianagaram at 301 mm and Anakapalli at 275 mm.

Q: How many people were evacuated ahead of the cyclone's arrival?

A: Local governments evacuated almost 180,000 people from low-lying coastal districts into temporary centers as part of massive preemptive measures that successfully reduced the number of fatalities.

Q: What does the name "Arnab" mean and who named it?

A: The cyclone name “Arnab” means “ocean” in Bengali and was provided by Bangladesh