Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have shut schools, restricted fishing and mobilised rescue teams ahead of Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall on Wednesday, October 28. Authorities are preparing for heavy rain and destructive winds, and Odisha has begun evacuating people from vulnerable areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the cyclone is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. Sustained winds are expected to reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts up to 140 kmph.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab was moving west-northwestwards at 25 kmph over the west-central Bay of Bengal, the IMD said. At 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, it was centred about 300 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha. The storm is expected to keep moving west-north-westwards before turning north-westwards to cross the coast near Yanam.
The IMD also warned of moderate rain with squally winds of 50-60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, over the next three hours. It expects this at several places in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts.
Andhra Pradesh
The state government has released Rs 27 crore to 20 districts for relief operations. It has also deployed 15 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams at vulnerable locations, according to the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority.
Seven districts, including Kakinada, Krishna and East Godavari, have been allocated Rs 2 crore each. Thirteen other districts have been sanctioned Rs 1 crore each.
NDRF teams are stationed across vulnerable areas, including Kakinada, Konaseema, Rajahmundry, Eluru, Machilipatnam and Nakkapalli. Two teams have been deployed at Yanam. Three each are at the NDRF Battalion Headquarters in Krishna district and the Regional Response Centre in Visakhapatnam.
Odisha
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has deputed eight ministers to different locations to monitor preparations. The state is expected to see very heavy rainfall and winds gusting up to 80 kmph, though the storm is likely to make landfall between Andhra Pradesh and Yanam in Puducherry.
Rescue teams from the NDRF, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire and Emergency Services and police have been deployed in vulnerable areas. Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said residents of thatched houses and low-lying areas are being moved to shelters. Pregnant women are being shifted to health centres in advance, and special arrangements have been made for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.
Pujari said all cyclone shelters and some temporary shelters are ready. Employee leave has been cancelled in identified districts, and control rooms have been set up to coordinate relief and rescue. The agriculture department has advised farmers to harvest and safely store crops that are 80-85 per cent mature, and dedicated helplines have been opened.
In Ganjam district, the administration has declared holidays for all Anganwadi centres from Tuesday, October 27, to Thursday, October 28, as a precaution.
Centre
The National Crisis Management Committee reviewed preparedness for the cyclone. Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the IMD to alert eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where heavy rainfall is also expected. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry are among the other regions being monitored.
Somanathan directed agencies to ensure zero loss of life, minimise damage to property and infrastructure, and restore essential services at the earliest in case of damage.
The NDRF told the meeting that teams have been deployed, with additional units on standby. Teams from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard, with their ships and aircraft, are also ready. The government said the Coast Guard has already guided several ships and boats to jetties or shore, and the remaining vessels have been alerted to return to the coast.
Other regions
Andaman and Nicobar: The administration on Tuesday, October 27, ordered all schools closed for two days. The Directorate of Disaster Management warned of an extremely rough sea and asked fisherfolk not to venture into the Bay of Bengal. It also advised people to avoid tourism, recreational activities and onshore and offshore operations until conditions improve.
West Bengal: The IMD forecasts heavy rain in several districts from October 28 to 30, with possible landslides in Darjeeling. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are likely to get heavy rain on October 29 and 30. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the Bengal coast from Monday, October 26, because of squally winds.
Uttar Pradesh: The Relief Commissioner’s Office has issued an advisory for unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and strong winds from Wednesday, October 28, to Saturday, October 31. Winds of up to 50 kmph are likely in some areas, and daytime temperatures could drop by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. The IMD issued a yellow alert for Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Ghazipur and Ballia for Wednesday, October 28, with winds of 30-40 kmph. An orange alert is in place for Thursday, October 29, with heavy rain and winds of 40-50 kmph possible. Heavy rain and strong winds are likely on Friday, October 30, in Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and several districts of Purvanchal, Awadh and the Terai region. The administration urged people to shelter in permanent buildings, stay away from trees and electricity poles, and check alerts on the Sachet app.
Railways
South Coast Railway General Manager Sandeep Mathur reviewed arrangements across all four divisions. A 24x7 war room has been set up at the zonal headquarters in Visakhapatnam and at divisional headquarters. Officials are monitoring vulnerable bridges, tracks, yards and signalling systems round the clock, and patrol teams are at sensitive locations. Drainage channels are being cleared, and emergency track maintenance materials have been stocked.
Help desks are being set up at major stations, with additional refund counters planned for cancelled tickets if needed. Medical teams and ambulances are on standby, catering units have been told to keep adequate food stocks, and crews are ready to run special trains if required. Mathur directed officials to coordinate closely with state authorities. Passengers have been advised to follow official railway updates.
Level 2 danger warnings have been issued at several ports. Authorities have urged people to stay alert and follow official weather updates because the cyclone’s path and intensity could change.