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Updated - October 27, 2026 10:35 am IST
A fallen tree blocks a road at Maharanipeta in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on October 27, 2026, amid rain and strong winds as Cyclone Arnab approaches the coast | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The eastern coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh closed schools, prohibited sea fishing and kept rescue teams on standby, stepping up precautionary measures ahead of severe Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall on Wednesday to ensure “zero loss of life and minimal damage to infrastructure”.
The Kakinada coast is in the grip of fear as the coast is bracing to face very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ on October 28 which marks the anniversary of severe cyclonic storm Montha that hit the same coast on the midnight of October 29, 2025.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the deep depression over east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal has moved westward and has intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’.
It is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of 115-125 kmph gusting up to 140 kmph by the forenoon of October 28, it said.
As cyclone ‘Arnab’ is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, heavy rainfall is expected in north coastal districts, the APSDMA said on Tuesday (October 27, 2026).
According to the IMD, the storm moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph during the preceding six hours and lay centred over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 2.30 am on Tuesday.
“Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, by the forenoon of October 28,” it said.
The system was located about 300 km southeast of Visakhapatnam, 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 380 km south of Gopalpur in Odisha, 460 km east of Machilipatnam, 530 km east of Bapatla and 920 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman Islands, a release said. -- PTI
The cyclone Montha made a landfall near Narsapuram, leaving Kakinada and Konaseema coastal belts in a trail of destruction, impacting scores of fisherfolk villages and villages in the Godavari delta.
It claimed two lives apart from damaging the standing paddy crop. By Tuesday (October 27, 2026), nearly 89,000 people inhabiting the Kakinada coast will be shifted to 101 relief camps. In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, 67 villages and Yanam town of Pondicherry territory, are on the alert.
What stands between the impact of the storm and coast and could minimize the damages relief on the magnanimity of the damages are the Godavari mangroves and Hope Island, a spit formed a century ago in the Kakinada Bay with sediments from Godavari river. They form the natural guardians of the coast from any natural calamity. -- The Hindu Bureau
Srikakulam district has received widespread rain overnight, as the Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS) ‘Arnab’ strengthened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) at around 11.30 p.m. on Monday (October 26, 2026).
According to latest information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, the system lay centred at 2.30 a.m. over Westcentral Bay of Bengal, at around 300 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam, 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada, 380 km south of Gopalpur of Odisha, 460 km east of Machilipatnam, 530 km east of Bapatla and 920 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram of the Andaman Islands.
Arnab intensifies to VSCS, showers spread in north Andhra as IMD warns of coastal landfall near Yanam by Oct 28, 2026.
Under the potential impact of cyclone ‘Arnab’, unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and strong winds are likely in Uttar Pradesh between October 28 and 31.
According to the forecast, winds are likely to blow at 30 to 40 kilometres per hour on October 28 in Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Ghazipur, and Ballia, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for these districts.
An orange alert has been issued for October 29 due to the possibility of heavy rainfall and strong winds in several districts.
Rainfall is forecast in several areas, including Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur.
On October 30, heavy rain and strong winds are also likely in Bareilly, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur, along with several districts of Purvanchal, Awadh, and the Terai region. As a result, daytime temperatures may fall by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius.
In light of the forecast, the Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner’s Office has issued precautionary guidelines for the general public and farmers, with the administration also laying emphasis on relief and rescue preparations, according to an official statement issued on Monday night.
The Relief Commissioner’s Office has urged people to follow weather-related warnings and the administration’s instructions. -- PTI
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered heightened preparedness across the State in view of the threat posed by Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Roads and Buildings (R&B) Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy has directed officials to ensure road safety and an uninterrupted emergency response.
The cyclone is expected to affect 13 districts with heavy rainfall on October 28 and 29. Wind speeds of 115 to 140 kmph are forecast in 12 districts, according to the State government’s assessments.
AP CM Naidu orders statewide cyclone preparedness as Arnab hits 13 districts with 115–140 kmph winds, activating disaster teams and road safety measures.
At least 89,000 people living along the six coastal belts are being evacuated to 101 relief camps in the wake of Cyclone Arnab, expected to cross the coast near Yanam or Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada as a “very severe” cyclonic storm on Wednesday (October 28).
On Monday, the entire Hope Island off the Kakinada coast has been evacuated by rehabilitating 130 inhabitants of the island in Kakinada city. Kakinada Rural, Uppada Kothapalli and Thondangi are the major fisherfolk belts where an alert has been sounded for heavy rain coupled with winds in the next 48 hours and the inhabitants along the shoreline are advised to move to the relief camps. The preparations are in place to provide food and safe drinking water in the relief camps under the aegis of the Revenue Department.
Coast evacuations amid Cyclone Arnab: 89,000+ moved to relief camps as holidays and school closures begin across Godavari regions.
Tamil Nadu is in for a brief hiatus from the monsoon wet spell, with rainfall likely to taper off over most parts of the State from Tuesday (October 27, 2026). Most parts of the State may begin to experience largely dry weather till November 1 except for isolated rainfall of moderate intensity over the southern and Western Ghats districts.
The Northeast monsoon, which was in its active phase, brought the much-needed rainfall over the State since its onset in mid-October. Tamil Nadu has recorded an overall rainfall of 21.5 cm, 58% above the monthly average. The State receives an average of 44 cm of rainfall during the entire season.
Tamil Nadu’s monsoon pause ends soon with revived rain from November 1, amid repairs to Chennai’s ageing S-band radar and continued monitoring by alternatives.
Andhra Pradesh has experienced 61 cyclonic storms since 1970, but only a few have intensified into Very Severe Cyclonic Storms (VSCS). The State is now bracing for one such storm, Arnab, nearly eight years after Titli struck in October 2018.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) records of cyclonic storms that affected the Andhra Pradesh coast between 1970 and 2023, the State witnessed 10 Very Severe Cyclonic Storms during the period. Arnab would be the 11th, if it reaches this intensity.
The IMD classifies cyclonic storms based on their maximum sustained wind speeds. A cyclonic storm has wind speeds of 62-88 kmph, a severe cyclonic storm 89-117 kmph, and a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 118-167 kmph. An Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm has wind speeds of 168-221 kmph, while a Super Cyclonic Storm has wind speeds exceeding 221 kmph.
AP braces for Arnab, potentially the 11th Very Severe Cyclonic Storm to hit Andhra Pradesh since 1970.
Several southern Odisha districts started receiving rain as very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” hurtled towards Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) morning.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclonic storm “Arnab” over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 25 kmph during past six hours, and lay-centered over the same region 300 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 360 km east-southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 380 km south of Gopalpur (Odisha), 460 km east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 530 km east of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh) and 920 km west-northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands) on October 27, 2026. -- Satyasundar Barik
Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab threatens Andhra Pradesh as Odisha records heavy rain and IMD forecasts 115-140 km/h winds and extensive rainfall.
The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to evacuate people from flood-prone areas, prioritise vulnerable residents, and deploy disaster response teams in the wake of the cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered heightened preparedness across the State, officials said, adding that 4,711 pregnant women will be shifted to safer healthcare facilities. They said 30,043 fishing boats have returned to the harbours.
Ajax: AP on red alert as Arnab nears coast; Odisha readies 1,700 shelters amid potential landfall, evacuations, and heavy rainfall.
The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare has readied 6,431 emergency beds, 630 medical teams and 716 vehicles as part of its preparedness for the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab.
Health Secretary G. Veerapandian and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu reviewed the preparedness measures during a teleconference with senior officials and district medical authorities on Monday evening.
Health Department readies 6,431 emergency beds for cyclone
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana has directed Municipal Commissioners in cyclone-affected municipalities to remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to protect the public from the impact of severe cyclonic storm Arnab.
During a teleconference with Municipal Commissioners on Monday, attended by senior officials of the Municipal Administration Department, the Minister instructed the authorities to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas and ensure the effective functioning of drainage systems.
He directed engineering and sanitation staff to take timely measures to clear drains and ensure the smooth flow of rainwater. Officials were asked to remain vigilant and respond promptly to emerging situations.
Narayana urges cyclone alert, waterlogging prevention, and proactive evacuations to safeguard vulnerable areas and maintain drainage operations.
Panic buying of essential commodities was reported across Visakhapatnam on Monday as Cyclone Arnab barrels towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam-Kakinada, by October 28. The forecast of heavy rainfall and gusty winds reaching up to 140 kmph triggered early-morning rush and panic buying across the coastal city.
Shoppers flocked to markets in large numbers, leaving Rythu Bazaars and open retail counters completely depleted as people rushed to hoard essential commodities ahead of the impending storm.
Panic buying hits Visakhapatnam as Cyclone Arnab nears, draining markets of essentials amid warnings of heavy rain and high winds.
The eastern coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh closed schools, prohibited sea fishing and kept rescue teams on standby, stepping up precautionary measures ahead of Cyclone Arnab’s expected landfall on Wednesday to ensure “zero loss of life and minimal damage to infrastructure”.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its Monday morning bulletin, said a deep depression over east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal has moved westward and has intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’. -- PTI
Published - October 27, 2026 07:19 am IST
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