Cyclone Arnab Live: Andhra on Alert, Odisha Evacuates 30,000

Visakhapatnam/Bhubaneswar, October 28: After a tense night on the east coast, Cyclone Arnab has done what the forecasters said it would. The storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh–Yanam coast Wednesday morning, and attention is now turning to clean-up in Andhra Pradesh and the next round of alerts in Odisha.

Where Cyclone Arnab Made Landfall

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says the system crossed the coast between 2 am and 8 am as a very severe cyclonic storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 to 135 kmph. Reports put gusts as high as 150 kmph.

Heavy rain and strong winds lashed Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Konaseema districts. By midday, the storm’s centre had moved entirely over land, and it is expected to keep weakening as it travels inland.

Andhra Pradesh: Damage Checks Begin

The state is now in restoration mode. Coastal erosion damaged the Uppada road near Kakinada, and teams have begun repairs and a preliminary assessment of crop damage. In Kakinada, police rescued residents stranded by the rain and wind.

Before landfall, the government had converted 609 schools into relief centres. As of early Wednesday, they were sheltering 854 people. Officials say power and road restoration are the priorities, and crop and property surveys will follow once the weather clears.

Odisha: 30,000 Moved to Safety

Although Arnab made landfall in Andhra, Odisha has taken no chances. The state has evacuated more than 30,000 people, and schools and anganwadis in 16 of its 30 districts are closed for the day.

Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the cyclone would later touch Odisha, with all southern districts likely to be affected and Malkangiri expected to be the worst hit. Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nuapada are also on alert.

So far, there are reports of trees uprooted in some southern districts, but no major damage or casualties. All 19,143 fishing boats have returned to shore, and temporary road closures are in place in landslide-prone areas.

What the Forecast Says

The IMD expects the storm to weaken into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday evening and into a deep depression on Thursday. Heavy to very heavy rain is still likely in parts of Andhra Pradesh, south Odisha and neighbouring states, so flooding in low-lying areas and landslides on hill roads remain a risk even after the winds drop.

A Familiar Season on the Coast

This is the second year running that a storm has threatened this stretch of the coast in late October. Last year, Cyclone Montha crossed near the same region and caused heavy rain and crop damage, while Odisha was spared the worst when the storm changed course. Officials say that memory has helped drive the early evacuations this time.

Safety Tips While the Rain Continues

Stay indoors and avoid venturing out for sightseeing, even once the wind eases. The eye of a storm can fool you into thinking it is over.
Keep away from fallen trees, loose electric wires and flooded roads.
Do not return to evacuated homes until local authorities say it is safe.
Keep a charged phone, torch, drinking water and essential medicines handy.
Follow only official advisories from the IMD, state disaster management authorities and district collectors, and avoid forwarding unverified videos.

What to Watch Next

How far inland Arnab carries heavy rain, how quickly power and roads are restored in coastal Andhra, whether Odisha’s southern districts, especially Malkangiri, escape serious damage, and what the crop damage surveys find.