Bhubaneswar, 26 October (H.S.): Cyclonic Storm Arnab over the Bay of Bengal has moved closer to the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight on Monday, followed by a further intensification into a very severe cyclonic storm on October 27, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest bulletin issued at 8:30 am on October 26.

According to the IMD, the cyclonic storm over the eastcentral and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal moved westwards at a speed of 15 kmph during the preceding six hours. At 8:30 am, the system was centred near latitude 15.4°N and longitude 88.5°E.

The storm was located approximately 580 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha, 610 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and 620 km northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The IMD has forecast that Cyclone Arnab will continue moving west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the westcentral Bay of Bengal by midnight on October 26. It is likely to strengthen further into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same region on October 27.

Thereafter, the system is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.

At landfall, the storm is likely to pack maximum sustained wind speeds of 115–125 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 140 kmph, the IMD said.

The weather department has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea in view of the developing cyclonic system and the anticipated deterioration in marine conditions.

The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall and strong winds along the southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh coasts. Authorities and coastal communities have been urged to remain alert and follow official weather updates as the storm approaches the coastline.

With the system expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, its movement and potential impact on the coastal districts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh will be closely monitored.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda